KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - This year, some health care providers in King County have experienced delays in receiving their vaccine supply. Now, since most health care providers should have the vaccine and more vaccine will continue to arrive, Public Health - Seattle & King County is encouraging people to vaccinate today and through the new year to protect against the flu.
"Flu vaccine supply is now plentiful and larger than ever before, and we want to vaccinate as many people as possible, especially those at highest risk for complications," said Dorothy Teeter, Interim Director and Health Officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "The flu shot is safe and has great benefits for the community by protecting those most at risk."
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, by reducing influenza among their contacts.
Flu vaccine is recommended now for anyone who wants to receive it, as well as people who are at high risk for complications from the flu, including:
- Children aged 6 months until their 5th birthday
- Pregnant women
- People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease (including asthma), kidney disease or diabetes
- People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities
People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu should also be vaccinated, including:
- Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
- Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
- Healthcare workers
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 110 million doses of injectable vaccine nationally, more than ever before.
Flu shots will be available at regular doctors' offices and clinics, Public Health centers and other providers. Some providers may also have available the live attenuated intranasal vaccine, or "FluMist."
For complete information about influenza, call Public Health's Information Line at 206-296-4949 or visit the Flu Season web pages.
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 $26, for intranasal flu vaccine is $35, and for the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine is $39, 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 do not have a tissue, cough and sneeze into your sleeve. Wash your hands often, especially after coughing, sneezing or using the bathroom. If you do not have access to water, use alcohol-based hand gel. 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. Residents and organizations of King County can order Stop Germs posters in seven languages.
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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