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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, November 29, 2008 Get a flu shot now, officials urge The vaccine isn't being rationed this year, and a shot now could help during the holiday season. By Sharon Salyer Herald Writer There have been no big influenza outbreaks so far this year. And unlike previous years, flu vaccine isn't being rationed because of shortages. So local and state health officials are urging people who haven't gotten a annual flu shot and want one to consider getting it now. "If you haven't gotten your flu shot yet, there's still plenty of time," said Erin Chester, who tracks influenza trends for the state Department of Health. Typically, flu season in Washington starts to hit hardest in January, but "it can trickle on to March or later," she said. Getting immunized now would also help protect children and adults from influenza during the holiday season, when people spend time in crowds where the virus can easily be spread. It's too early to know just how severe this flu season will be, Chester said. There have only been a few confirmed cases in Washington. Nationally, the number of influenza cases remains low, too. Health officials are urging people to get the shot not only to avoid flu's high fever, chills and severe body aches, but also the health complications it can trigger, such as pneumonia. "People are lulled into safety because they don't think that flu is really that serious," said Nicole Pender, a health educator in the state Department of Health's immunization program. "A lot of times, the flu virus is making people more susceptible to other diseases, too," she said. "Whether it's a slow flu season or not, people may not realize how beneficial it is to get the vaccine." This year, the shot is recommended for the largest group of children ever, those from six months to 18 years of age. Last year, the shot was recommended for children 6 months to 4 years old. The shot is optional for everyone else. It's recommended for people who are 50 years old or older. Although many area clinics are completing their annual flu shot clinics, there are no reports of shortages of children's or adult vaccine. Group Health's Everett Medical Center expects to immunize more people this year than last year, said Debbie Brown, a manager at the medical center. About 4,500 people have been given the shot so far, she said. By the end of flu season last year, 5,300 people had gotten the shot. "We have at least 500 doses (remaining) in our clinic and more available in our warehouse," Brown said. Overall, the organization ordered about 150,000 doses of adult vaccine this year, said Walter Sidles, purchasing manager. Providence Physician Group clinics in Mill Creek and Monroe have both gone through about 2,000 doses of the vaccine and still have supplies on hand. The Snohomish Health District has about 1,500 adult doses in stock and 1,400 pediatric doses, said Rita Mell, clinic manager. Some 17,500 adults and 6,500 children have been immunized at The Everett Clinic. However, there are still 4,000 adult doses and 3,000 pediatric doses in stock. This could be among the biggest years ever for demand for the shot, said Dr. Yuan-Po Tu, who tracks influenza issues at The Everett Clinic. "We still have another month or two of flu vaccination," he said. Only one possible case of influenza has been detected among its patients so far this flu season, he said. Last year, flu season peaked in March. "Having a large number of flu cases in November would be extremely unusual," he added. Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com. Flu shots For help finding a clinic that offers the flu shot, call the Family Health Hotline at 800-322-2588 or check the American Lung Association's Web site at flucliniclocator.org. For more information on influenza and the flu vaccine, check the state Department of Health Web site at www.doh.wa.gov/FluNews/. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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