Media Advisory—Nov. 4, 2009
Contact: 425.388.3608
All November H1N1 clinics cancelled
Vaccine redirected to local doctors’ offices
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Local health officials have cancelled all mass vaccination clinics scheduled for Saturdays in November.
Instead, limited supplies of vaccine will be directed to Snohomish County medical providers whose patients are at high risk of complicaions from H1N1 influenza. No retail pharmacies and not all providers will have vaccine until the supply of vaccine improves.
The Snohomish Health District began distributing H1N1 vaccine to doctors’ offices Wednesday morning, Nov. 4, beginning with providers who are registered and participating in the state Vaccine for Children program. Private providers will not charge for the vaccine but may charge an administration fee for each dose.
A list of Snohomish County providers who have a small supply of vaccine will be posted on www.snocoflu.com and updated weekly.
The Health District will monitor and evaluate the new distribution approach during the next several weeks. Based on that information and vaccine supply, the local public health agency and its community partners could decide to schedule mass vaccination clinics later in the year.
The Snohomish Health District will offer H1N1 vaccine at its two sites at no cost to eligible individuals. Vaccine is available only by appointment, and to people who are low-income and are at most risk of complications from the H1N1 virus, as well as fall into one of these target groups:
· Pregnant women;
· All persons ages 6 months through 24 years;
· Health care workers and emergency responders;
· Teachers; professional child care providers;
· Household and caregiver contacts of children younger than 6 months (e.g. parents, siblings, and daycare providers);
· Persons ages 25 through 64 years who have underlying medical conditions associated with a higher risk of influenza complication.
People who are older than age 65 do not qualify for the H1N1 vaccine while vaccine supply is limited, even if they fall into another target group. H1N1 vaccine will be available to seniors and all others who want it when the supply improves.
The Health District offers H1N1 immunizations at its clinics in Everett (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) and Lynnwood (Tuesday, Thursday). Hours at both locations are by appointment from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinics will be closed on Veterans Day, Nov. 11; on Nov. 26-27, for the Thanksgiving holiday; and on weekends.
A parent or legal guardian must accompany a child (younger than age 18 years) to the clinic.
To schedule an appointment at one of the Health District’s locations, please call: Main Clinic (Everett) 425.339.5220; South County Clinic (Lynnwood) 425.775.3522. Otherwise, please call your provider, but only if they are listed as having H1N1 vaccine at www.snocoflu.com.
