For immediate release: December 10, 2003 (03-194)

Contacts:
Donn Moyer, Communications Office 360-236-4076
Tim Church, Communications Office 360-236-4077

State recommends providers reserve flu vaccine for high risk patients
Continued high demand leads to recommended prioritization

OLYMPIA ¾ The state Department of Health is recommending that health-care providers prioritize the dwindling stocks of influenza vaccine for high risk patients. The early arrival of flu season in Washington has resulted in more people than usual being vaccinated against the flu, and health-care providers in many communities around the state and the nation are running out.

"We always recommend that high risk individuals consider a flu shot, and as demand grows it is important that providers keep these patients in mind," said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. "Young, healthy people are at the lowest risk for complications from the flu; with a dwindling supply of vaccine, we are recommending that those at highest risk have priority."

The Department of Health recommends people in these high risk groups receive top priority:

• persons aged 50 years and older;
• residents of nursing homes and other facilities for those with chronic medical conditions;
• women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the influenza season;
• adults and children with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular disease, including asthma;
• adults and children who have required regular medical follow-up or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic diseases (including diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, anemia or immunosuppression caused by medications or illness);
• children and adolescents aged 6 months to 18 years who receive long-term aspirin therapy;
• persons who can transmit influenza to high risk individuals, including:

• healthy children aged 6 to 23 months.

The Department of Health shipped the last of its 102,000 doses of flu vaccine for toddlers and at-risk kids this week, and has asked federal authorities for additional supplies should more vaccine be made available. The state-managed flu vaccine is allocated specifically for children 6-23 months, and at-risk children 2-19 years, and their household contacts.

While inventories are being used, the availability of flu vaccine varies widely from community to community, and anyone wanting a flu shot is urged to contact their health-care provider. As the supply of vaccine diminishes, the use of good health manners to prevent the spread of influenza and many other diseases takes on additional importance. Such manners include covering mouth and nose (with a handkerchief or tissue if possible) when sneezing or coughing; washing hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water after sneezing or coughing; and staying home from work or school when you’re ill.

The Department of Health provides flu vaccine for toddlers and at-risk children to local health departments, which distribute it to health-care providers. Health-care providers and some local health departments also order and purchase flu vaccine for adults and healthy children.

The Department of Health flu news Web site ( http://www.doh.wa.gov/FluNews/default.htm ) has details of influenza in Washington.

The CDC flu Web site ( http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/default.htm ) has additional information.

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