KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Starting this month, health care providers throughout the county and Public Health - Seattle & King County sites are offering the flu (influenza) shot. Until October 24, flu shots will be prioritized for people at highest risk of complications, including babies, pregnant women, children and adults with chronic medical conditions, and the elderly.
“A flu shot is an excellent way to protect the health of our community and keep those most at risk of influenza complications out of harm’s way,” said King County Executive Ron Sims.
“The flu shot is safe and has great benefits for the community by protecting those most at risk,” said Dorothy Teeter, Interim Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. “Flu vaccine protects people by reducing the risk of getting the flu and reducing its severity, and flu shots also protect those who cannot get immunized, such as infants.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that the following priority groups receive the influenza vaccine until October 24, 2005:
- Persons aged 65 years or older with or without chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, kidney disease, or diabetes
- Residents of long-term-care facilities
- Persons aged 2-64 years with chronic medical conditions or long-term aspirin therapy
- All children 6-23 months of age
- Pregnant women
- Health care personnel who provide direct patient care
- Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children aged less than 6 months
Beginning October 24, 2005, all persons will be eligible for a flu shot. For complete information about influenza, including places offering flu shots, call the Public Health Hotline at 206-296-4949 or visit the Flu Season web pages at www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/fluseason.htm
Influenza is a highly contagious illness causing an average of 36,000 deaths and over 200,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States; pneumonia is the most common complication in high-risk groups. Influenza, unlike the common cold, has a swift onset of severe symptoms beginning with two to seven days of fever, headache, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, runny nose and sore throat, and a cough that is often severe and may last seven days or more.
Vaccine supply and where to get a flu shot
This year, flu vaccine manufacturers plan to make available over 71 million doses of injectable vaccine nationally, more than last year’s total.
Flu shots will be available at regular doctors’ offices and clinics, Public Health centers and other providers. Public Health sites will offer flu shots starting October 10 by appointment. Some providers may also have the live attenuated intranasal vaccine available. More information on locations offering flu shots can be found at: www.metrokc.gov/health/immunization/fluseason.htm
Persons at high risk for influenza-related complications may also need immunization against pneumococcal pneumonia. This vaccine is given only once to most people, with a one-time revaccination recommended for people with certain medical conditions. Persons should talk to their health care provider about this vaccine.
Cost of flu shot
Flu and pneumococcal vaccines are covered by Medicare Part B. If you have Medicare coverage and belong to a managed care plan or HMO, you should go to your regular health care provider. If you do not have Medicare insurance, the fee for a flu shot at Public Health - Seattle & King County clinics is $25, for intranasal flu vaccine is $30, and for the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine is $37, with a sliding scale based on income. Costs vary for flu and pneumococcal vaccines through other providers.
The federal and state funded Vaccines for Children program subsidizes the cost of children’s vaccine at most health care clinics. This program now includes funding for flu vaccine for certain children, including:
- children from 6 - 23 months of age
- children age 2 years and older if they have high-risk medical conditions
- children with siblings who are age 0-24 months or children who are household contacts of someone at high-risk for flu complications
Families may want to check with their clinic or physician about this program.
Stop germs, stay healthy
Good health manners, such as covering coughs and washing hands, can be very effective in preventing transmission of disease, including the flu.
Public Health recommends that you cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a tissue, cough and sneeze into your sleeve. Wash your hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing or using the bathroom. If you don’t have access to water, use an alcohol-based gel or wipe. Please, stay home when you are sick.
For more information on good health manners and educational materials, visit Public Health’s Stop Germs web page: www.metrokc.gov/health/stopgerms
Public Health – Seattle & King County is among the largest metropolitan health departments in the country, providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services that achieve and sustain safer and healthier communities for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County . Answering the needs of an increasingly diverse population, Public Health - Seattle & King County touches people's lives every day through health promotion and prevention activities, disease surveillance, health care, outreach and referral services, environmental health services, emergency medical care, jail health services, and readiness and response to public health emergencies.
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