A call for calm as H1N1 flu vaccine is distributed

EXHALE, everybody. Swine flu is here in Washington, but only a small quantity of vaccine has landed. This is an obvious recipe for nervous, even selfish behavior.

Those seeking early-round vaccinations must take a deep breath and wait for fuller distribution. More shots and nasal spray arrive all the time. David Fleming, director of Seattle & King County Public Health, believes pharmacies may receive vaccine as early as next week.

In the future, some time will be spent determining where the blame lies for the national shortage. Perhaps the Obama administration messed up. Maybe the problem is the virus itself, which is growing slower than expected in chicken eggs and still unavailable in promised amounts. Perhaps the distribution system is too clumsy.

The best bet is to get the vaccine distributed to those who need it as quickly and efficiently as possible and play the blame game later.

The first priority group includes health providers and pregnant women. After that, the prioritizing becomes murkier but the list of those strongly urged to get a flu shot is available on any county Web site.

For example, folks under age 64 who have an underlying medical condition should keep in touch with providers or scout pharmacies as they begin distribution. Youngsters under age 24 are vulnerable and many of them are eligible for the nasal spray. Others are better suited for the shot.

There have been some rumblings about recent King County clinics for the uninsured. Some people who received vaccine were suspected of lying about being pregnant, about being uninsured and about the existence of an underlying medical condition.

The goal is to inoculate people who need it most.

Most flu experts initially worried people who needed the vaccine would turn it down out of fear of side effects. The new reality is a national shortage for people who want and need the vaccine.

So far, about 90 percent of the medicine is being distributed through the private health system. This is logical. People who see doctors often tend to be sicker.

Citizens seeking the shot should contact providers and have some faith doctors know which patients are most vulnerable.

This is a scary time, but it cries out for patience and calm — and for those on the vulnerable list, steady diligence about getting the vaccine as soon as it arrives.