With flu season right around the corner, public heath officials say it’s time to roll up the sleeve for a shot of vaccine.
Dr. Tom Locke, public heath officer for Clallam and Jefferson counties, said doses of multistrain influenza vaccine have been distributed to hospitals, doctor’s offices, pharmacies and grocery stores across the North Olympic Peninsula.
Flu season starts to peak in November and continues through April. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta recommends vaccinations in October and November.
The possible severity of this year’s flu season is anyone’s guess.
“A lot of it depends on how many people get vaccinated,” Locke said, “and how good a job we do practicing all those other things we preach.”
Push preventive measures
Every year, health officials drive home preventive messages like “cover your cough” and “stay home when you’re sick” to curb the spread of influenza.
Last year, during the height of the H1N1 “swine flu” pandemic, demand for the vaccine caused a national supply shortage. Early doses were reserved for health care workers, children and the elderly.
No such shortage is expected this year, Locke said.
“It’s arriving on time,” he said.
“There are no production shortages. It will be readily available.”
This year’s flu shot protects against both the H1N1 and seasonal influenza strains.
A second vaccine was needed last year, but the seasonal flu season never really materialized, Locke said.
The Clallam and Jefferson county health departments will provide a special children’s vaccine — although most are going to private health care providers — while all adults doses are available only from private providers.
Children’s vaccine
The state-supplied children’s vaccine, which is recommended for all children 6 months to 18 years, arrived at the Clallam County Public Health Department on Wednesday.
Vaccine orders from private providers were coming in last week, Locke said, adding that the vaccines should be available in privates offices this week or the week after.
“I imagine it’s very similar in Jefferson County. The focus at the Health Department is on the Vaccines for Children Program,” Locke said.
“Most of the adult vaccination has been taken over by private medical practices and the pharmacies.
“They’ve done an excellent job getting out the most vaccine at the lowest possible cost, which is great. We welcome that.”
A dose of the vaccine costs about $30. Most insurance companies now cover it, Locke said.
He said the big private suppliers on the Peninsula are the Safeway stores in Port Angeles and Port Townsend.
Most major grocery stores and pharmacies on the Peninsula are offering the combined vaccine this flu season. Check with your store for hours and vaccine availability.
Health care workers
Health care workers at Olympic Medical Center received early doses during a medical staff meeting on Sept. 13.
OMC has instituted a new policy in hopes of driving up staff vaccinations. Any employee who does not take a flu shot will be required to wear a mask when the flu season officially arrives next month.
After Jefferson Healthcare adopted the policy in 2008, the Port Townsend-based medical center saw its vaccination rate climb from around 70 percent to more than 90 percent.
At Virginia Mason — one of the first health care institutions to adopt such a policy — vaccination rates have risen past 98 percent.
“That’s really what we’re going for,” Locke said.
The concern is health care workers could unknowingly spread the flu to vulnerable patients in their care.
“Recent studies have shown that as many as 40 percent of those who were infected with H1N1 last flu season never developed the symptoms, Locke said.
“They didn’t feel sick enough to remember they had it,” Locke said.
The H1N1 pandemic officially ended on Aug. 10.
Complications from H1N1 were blamed for three deaths in Clallam County.
Jefferson County Public Health reported no swine flu-related deaths.
Based on the flu activity in the southern hemisphere, which is nearing its end, “H1N1 has essentially joined two other seasonal flu strains,” Locke said.
Recent research shows the H1N1 vaccine is effective for longer than previously thought. It is good for at least six months, and in some cases, it can stave off the flu for years, Locke said.
“Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that people vaccinated last year are still immune,” he said.
Locke encourages everyone to get vaccinated every year. He said there are no side effects to an annual shot.
“We are strongly recommending it,” Locke said.
“We would like to stop a flu epidemic from occurring.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.