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For immediate release: November 29, 2004 (04-137)
Contacts:
Donn Moyer, Communications Office
360-236-4076
Tim Church, Communications Office
360-236-4077
Distribution plan for Washington's share of limited additional flu vaccine
OLYMPIA ¾ Some additional supplies of flu vaccine will soon be headed to local communities around Washington. Public health leaders will continue to prioritize the vaccine for people at highest risk for complications from the flu.
State and local public health authorities have designed a plan to fairly distribute to counties the supplies expected over the next several weeks. The plan is based on estimates of the high priority population, number of doses already received and unmet need in each county.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have determined that Washington’s share of 7.2 million remaining doses in production will be about 160,000 doses. CDC also had indicated that additional doses might be available in a re-distribution of vaccine unclaimed by other states; or vaccine the Food and Drug Administration may acquire from other countries.
Local health agencies are working with health care providers in their communities to determine how to distribute their county’s allocations (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2004_news/12-06-04DOHWebUpdateFluAllocationsbyCounty.xls). Local distribution plans and unmet need vary widely between counties based on community needs, so it is likely that each counties allocation will change over the next couple months.
"We know flu season usually peaks in February or March, so we want to get as many people in high priority groups vaccinated before then" said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "These additional doses will not meet all of the need in our state, but they will help protect more people in high priority groups."
State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes adds, "As a physician, I want to stress how important it is for high priority people to keep trying to get a flu shot as vaccine becomes available." Hayes says flu season typically hits hardest in our state between January and March, so getting a flu shot as late as the end of January will provide protection for those at highest risk.
"Practicing respiratory etiquette is really simple, and it’s very effective," says Dr. Hayes. "The things your Mom told you to do when you cough or sneeze really do work. Just use good health manners." Those things include covering your nose and mouth when you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose; using a tissue or handkerchief when possible; washing your hands frequently and thoroughly; and staying home when you have a cough and fever.
Respiratory etiquette is especially important this flu season with short supplies of vaccine reserved for high priority groups. Good health manners can go a long way toward preventing the spread of influenza. When you’re not feeling well, it’s even more important to wash your hands often. You can make a difference in the spread of disease by practicing the good health manners (http://www.doh.wa.gov/FluNews/#materials) listed on the Department of Health Web site (http://www.doh.wa.gov/). The "Good Health Manners" fact sheet is available online in six additional languages, including Spanish, Russian and Korean.
The Immunization Program Web site (http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/flu_updates.htm) includes a list of high priority populations and contains other information about flu vaccine.
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