Public Health removes flu shot restrictions for King County residents

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - Public Health - Seattle & King County is further expanding who may receive flu vaccine this 2004-2005 flu season. Now, health care providers in King County can administer flu shots to anyone requesting one, as long as the demand among persons in high-risk groups has been met.

"Our emphasis remains for those in high-risk categories to get vaccinated, but we also want to make certain that no vaccine is left on the shelf. That's why we are opening up the vaccine availability to everybody," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director and Health Officer of Public Health - Seattle & King County.

Public Health still recommends priority vaccination of children and adults in high-risk categories. Influenza cases are increasing at this time and are expected to peak in February or later, so it is not too late to get vaccinated. The influenza vaccine this year matches the strains of influenza circulating in the community.

King County residents should first call their personal health care provider to get an adult or child flu shot. Flu shots are also available at:

Public Health centers, call 206-296-4949 to find the Public Health clinic nearest you.

PreventionMD is providing flu shots to the public at its Redmond office, Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., (except January 17), call 425-739-0700.

Public Health recommends that the following groups receive a flu shot:

all children aged 6 to 23 months

adults aged 50 years and older

persons aged 2 to 64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions

all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season

residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities

children aged 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy

health-care workers involved in direct patient care

out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than six months of age

household contacts of persons in high-risk groups

Intranasal, live-attenuated vaccine (FluMist) is still available in many locations for use in healthy persons between 5 and 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

Low-cost flu vaccination for high-risk children, including household contacts of other high risk persons, is available at 300 health care providers and clinics throughout King County through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program.

Visit Public Health flu season web page for complete and updated information on the flu season.

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health - Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

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