The first, small amounts of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) vaccine have been released by the federal government and are scheduled to arrive this week in King County for immunization of healthcare workers. The larger amounts of vaccine that are needed to begin broader scale vaccination for people who are at higher risk for H1N1 are projected to begin arriving in mid-October.
“This small, initial shipment will be targeted to healthcare providers, and subsequent doses that arrive later in the month will be prioritized to those who most need it because they are at higher risk,” said Dr. David Fleming, director and health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “As soon as supplies are sufficient, everyone will have an opportunity to protect themselves from H1N1 influenza, and we’re working to make the vaccine as easy as possible to get.”
Vaccine arrival and priority
A small amount of 20,000 doses of flu vaccine for King County are expected to arrive this week. These first doses will be nasal-spray flu vaccine (FluMist®) and made available to healthcare providers who are eligible for FluMist® use. Healthcare providers are a priority group for vaccination, as they are at high risk for infection and could put vulnerable patients at risk.
In mid-October, larger shipments of vaccine are expected to begin to arrive weekly and will be available for people at higher risk of H1N1 influenza as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than six months of age, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old and between 25-64 with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems.
Vaccine availability will be opened up to everyone who wants it as soon as supplies are sufficient to cover demand in risk groups.
Ways to get vaccine
As larger amounts of vaccine become available, it will be initially prioritized for use by medical providers but will also be available through multiple channels in the community, so that it will be as easy as possible for people throughout the community to get protection. More information will be forthcoming as vaccine becomes available for public distribution, including on Public Health’s Web site at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1
Channels for receiving vaccine will include from regular healthcare providers, pharmacies and other commercial vendors, community vaccination clinics and employers of healthcare and emergency medical services personnel.
Flu vaccine will be provided at no cost. Health care providers, pharmacies and commercial vaccinator will charge an administration fee approximately $15, but most insurers will reimburse costs To ensure that cost is not a barrier to vaccination, no administration fee will be charged at community vaccination clinic sites.
For updates and more information on H1N1 influenza visit www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1 or call the Flu Hotline, 877-903-5464.
