H1N1 vaccine offered Oct. 31
Published 10:18 pm Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Thousands of health care workers and first responders have received the H1N1 swine flu vaccine. As the flu season encroaches, the rest of the community will get their first chance at the vaccine on Oct. 31 — if they fall in one of the high-risk groups.
Health care workers and first responders were the first to receive an initial allotment vaccine earlier this month when more than 7,000 doses of the shot-free FluMist nasal spray were made available.
“It makes the most sense to immunize the people who have direct contact with sick individuals,” said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, medical director with the Snohomish Health District. “We need the health-care workforce and our first responders to be healthy and remain healthy to assist those who become ill.”
Larger shipments, totaling 100,000 doses, of injectable H1N1 vaccine have now been received in Snohomish County. Planning is underway for distributing these to the public through clinic sites countywide.
For county line residents, H1N1 influenza vaccination clinics will begin Oct. 31 and continue through December.
Vaccinations will be offered at no cost to those most vulnerable to complications from H1N1 influenza: pregnant women, individuals age six months to 24 years, caregivers of children younger than six months old, people 25 to 64 years old with chronic medical conditions, health-care workers, emergency services personnel, school teachers and childcare professionals.
As more doses become available, people outside the recommended priority groups will be able to receive the vaccine through health care providers, including pharmacies.
Parents will not be offered the vaccine when they accompany their children to a clinic unless the parent is in a priority group.
Due to a county emergency declaration, H1N1 vaccinations can be administered by first responders in Snohomish County in addition to health care workers.
Goldbaum’s goal is to have at least 100,000 county residents vaccinated by Thanksgiving. In the meantime, residents should continue to take precautions to stop the spread of the disease, including receiving a seasonal flu shot, he said.
While seasonal influenza affects people over age 65 more severely than younger people, H1N1 flu spreads quickly and more severely affects children and young adults. Although deaths can occur from both types of flu, most people recover within a week with no complications.
Residents with questions relating to H1N1 vaccination clinic sites, requirements and other H1N1 questions can call 425-388-5088 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information on flu vaccine availability, call 425-339-8627 or go to www.snocoflu.com.
