State to get more flu vaccine

By Julia Sommerfeld
Seattle Times staff reporter

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Some high-risk patients have another shot at getting their flu vaccine. State and local public-health authorities have divvied up 160,000 additional adult doses destined for Washington.

The shots are in production now and will likely start dribbling in over the next couple of weeks, said Donn Moyer, spokesman for the state Department of Health. The allotment comes through the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So far, county health departments have requested 116,000 doses of the state's share.

Moyer encourages people who fit the high-risk categories — such as pregnant women, people over 65 and those with chronic health problems — to continue to pursue a vaccine in January, even into February. The worst of the flu season can hit Washington as late as March.

More Information Public flu clinics in King County: www.GetaFluShot.com or call 888-536-6900 www.PreventionMD.com or call 800-346-4915 or 425-739-0700 Updates on the flu and vaccine supply: Public Health — Seattle & King County, www.metrokc.gov/health/ immunization/fluseason.htm or call 206-296-1100 State Department of Health Flu News, www.doh.wa.gov/FluNews

King County is to receive 38,000 doses of the state's allotment. Public Health — Seattle & King County also announced yesterday that it received 22,000 additional doses from its own orders and redistribution. Between now and January, Public Health plans to distribute 11,000 doses to nursing homes and long-term care facilities, 15,000 to public flu clinics by health-care organizations, 20,000 to health-care providers, 12,000 to community health clinics and 2,000 to hospitals.

Snohomish County will receive about 15,000 shots. Snohomish Health District spokeswoman Suzanne Pate, however, warns those clamoring for their vaccine: "We haven't seen the truck pull up yet."

The shots will go to hospitals, clinics and health-care providers, with the Health District retaining just what it needs to vaccinate those already on its waiting list. Health officials will call those people when shots are available; others should call their doctors.

Julia Sommerfeld: 206-464-2708 or jsommerfeld@seattletimes.com

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