First shipment of H1N1 “swine” flu vaccine to arrive this week
A shipment of 20,000 doses of the vaccine against the new H1N1 “swine” flu will arrive in King County this week, Public Health.
Because supply is limited, priority will be given first to health providers and emergency personnel so that they will be able to continue working during the expected epidemic and so that they won’t spread the virus to patients with whom they come in contact, said Dr. David Fleming, director and health officers for Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Larger shipments are expected to begin to arriving by mid-October and then continue weekly as more vaccine is manufactured and distributed nationwide, Dr. Fleming said.
Initially, because the vaccine will be in short supply, priority will be give to people who are at higher risk of contracting H1N1 and of developing serious complications from the infection, Dr. Fleming said.
These groups are:
- Pregnant women.
- People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.
- People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old.
- People between 25 and 64 years of age with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems.
Fleming urged people in these groups or caring for people in these groups to contact their health providers now to make arrangements for getting the vaccine. The vaccine will also be distributed by pharmacies, employers, public health clinics and other outlets.
The vaccine is free but private providers may charge an administration fee of approximately $15. Most insurance companies cover the administration fee.
Community vaccination clinics will provide the vaccine free of charge to those who have no insurance or who cannot afford the fee charged by private providers or who do not have a regular health provider.
Dr. Fleming noted that H1N1 vaccine will not protect against the seasonal flu, which is also expected to appear in the region this fall and winter and he warned that to be fully protected people should get vaccinated against both H1N1 and the seasonal flu.
To find out where you can get the vaccine and to learn more about H1N1 flu, visit Public Health’s wesbsite at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1
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- 120 confirmed cases of H1N1 swine flu in King County
- Ten cases of probable H1N1 swine flu now identified in King County
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