Flu vaccine is a bit slow arriving this year, but health officials don't expect a shortage of the shots like the one last year that continued well into the flu season.

Some clinic managers and commercial vendors in the Seattle area said they are able to provide the shots now for high-risk patients, and they expect to have more vaccine for others in coming weeks. At the same time, others say they've received little or no vaccine.

"It's a delay situation rather than a shortage," said David Bibus, immunizations-program manager for Public Health — Seattle & King County.

Bibus said only about 20 percent of the vaccine that the health department ordered has arrived. So Public Health is scheduling individual appointments during regular clinic hours, but is not holding any special immunization events, for now.

No laboratory-confirmed flu cases have been reported in Washington this season.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said last month that it expects between 71 million and 97 million doses of flu vaccine to be produced this year, enough to cover the national demand.

Last year, only about 57 million doses were available after vaccine made by Chiron, a major producer, was unusable because of sanitation problems in its British plant. The announcement resulted in long lines of people wanting the shots in the first few months, until demand eased early in the winter.

Even with the increased production this year, the CDC has recommended that only people at high risk for developing life-threatening complications from the flu get the vaccine until Oct. 24. That includes those 65 and older, people with chronic illnesses or impaired immune systems, nursing-home residents, children aged 6 months to 23 months, pregnant women, health-care workers and people who have close contact with high-risk people.

Chiron's manufacturing plant has been cleared for production this year, but the company is awaiting licensing by the Food and Drug Administration. So for now, two other companies, Sanofi Pasteur and GlaxoSmithKline, are producing all the vaccine.

The early vaccine supply for children is better, according to Bibus. The shots are supplied free to high-risk children up to age 19 under a federally funded program. Physicians and clinics may charge no more than a $15.60 administration fee.

None of the flu vaccine this year is designed to prevent the avian flu, which has sickened at least 117 people, killing 60, in Asia since late 2003. Instead, the vaccine being distributed is made for the conventional influenza strain predicted for the regular flu season.

One shot is meant to remain effective for the entire season, which generally runs from October to spring.

Group Health Cooperative reports having plenty of vaccine now for high-risk patients. Minor and James Medical has a very limited supply. The Polyclinic has about 70 percent of its full order. Virginia Mason Medical Center has no adult vaccine yet, but some for children. All expect more vaccine to be delivered later this month or early in November.

Commercial vendors reported somewhat better supplies. A representative of Maxim Health Systems — which conducts clinics for Costco, Albertsons, Rite Aid and some Walgreen's stores — said the company has more than enough vaccine for high-risk patients and expects plenty for other patients.

"It appears to look good. ... There's definitely not a shortage like last year," said Jake Reed, a Maxim account executive. Reed said customers will be screened for high-risk status until Oct. 24.

A representative of QFC said the company has a good vaccine supply, and clinics at certain locations began last week. Kristin Maas, advertising director, said a sign at the clinics advises customers that the CDC recommends that until Oct. 24 only high-risk people should receive the shots.

But she said the shots are sold to anyone.

Warren King: 206-464-2247 or wking@seattletimes.com