KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - In response to the announcement by Chiron, one of the two major flu (influenza) vaccine manufacturers for the United States, that it will not be supplying any flu vaccine nationally for the 2004-2005 influenza season, Public Health - Seattle & King County is asking for the help of the public and health care providers in getting available flu vaccine to those at highest risk for complications from the illness.
“This is a serious problem, as nearly half of the planned flu vaccine supply will not be available for distribution in the United States. Our goal now is to work with the public and health care providers to ensure that those at highest risk for complications from the flu are the ones who will receive the vaccine, and ask those not at high risk to forgo flu vaccination this year,” said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director and Health Officer.
Earlier today, the CDC convened an emergency session of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to revise recommendations for this season to target those persons at highest risk from complications of influenza.
Based on these recommendations, Public Health is asking that available flu vaccine be prioritized to the following high-risk individuals:
- all children aged 6-23 months
- adults aged 65 years and older
- persons aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions
- all women who will be pregnant during influenza season
- residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
- children 6 months -18 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy
- health-care workers with direct patient care
- out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged less than 6 months
In addition to providing the guidelines to the public and health care providers, Public Health will be convening all major public and private providers of flu vaccine early next week to take a full inventory of local supplies and align vaccine administration with national recommendations. King County health care providers order flu vaccine from both manufacturers that supply vaccine in the United States.
“We are asking for the assistance of the public and health care providers to reserve available influenza vaccine for those persons at highest risk for serious complications from influenza,” said Dr. Jeffrey Duchin, Chief, Communicable Disease Control, Epidemiology and Immunization Section.
Public Health recommends to all members of the public that there are other ways to minimize your risk for getting the flu:
- avoid close contact with other people who have respiratory infections and colds
- stay home from work and school and avoid contact with other people when you are ill
- cover your coughs and sneezes with tissue
- wash hands or use an alcohol-based hand gel frequently and after touching your nose and mouth
If you do develop an illness, contact your health care provider for advice about possible treatment or evaluation.
Local supply
Public Health –Seattle & King County does purchase adult flu vaccine from Chiron. As a result, Public Health does not presently have a supply of adult vaccine for its clinics. Public Health does receive pediatric flu vaccine through the federal Vaccine for Children program for use at Public Health clinics and by local health care providers. The Vaccine for Children is supplied by both major flu vaccine manufacturers, so there will be some vaccine available at the local level through this program. Distribution and administration of this vaccine supply will be determined as part of the provider meeting to be convened early next week.
For more information on the flu, visit the Public Health web site at www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/fluseason.htm
