KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Public Health - Seattle & King County will be receiving an additional 4,500 doses of adult flu vaccine to be distributed throughout King County to those who serve individuals at high risk for flu complications. This brings the total number of adult flu vaccine doses that will be received by Public Health this flu season to 64,500.

“This is an excellent time to get vaccinated for the flu. It’s still early in the flu season, and influenza typically doesn’t peak until February,” said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director and Health Officer of Public Health - Seattle & King County. “There are many sites throughout King County that are offering flu shots to high-risk individuals.”

Public Health recommends that at-risk adults first call their personal health care providers to see whether they have vaccine. If their personal health care providers do not have vaccine, individuals may get information on public flu shot clinics by calling Public Health’s Flu Hotline.

Public Health’s Flu Hotline at 206-296-1100 is staffed weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. this week to provide information to King County residents on where they may go to receive a flu shot.

Also, individuals may call or visit the web sites of three health organizations offering flu shots in different parts of King County:

Certain healthy individuals 5-49 years of age may consider the FluMist. Check with your health care provider or local pharmacy about how to get the FluMist vaccine. For a list of places with FluMist, visit: www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/flumist.htm.

Visit Public Health's flu season web pages at www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/fluseason.htm for complete and updated information on the flu season, the high-risk groups that are eligible for the flu shot this flu season, information on FluMist (intranasal vaccine for certain healthy individuals) and where to access FluMist, and other ways to stay healthy during the flu season, such as by washing hands and covering coughs.

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