County gets more flu vaccine
People should not pass up an earlier opportunity to get a shot if available.
By CANDACE CHASE
The Daily Inter Lake
Flathead City-County Health Department officials received 3,000 doses of flu vaccine on Friday but haven't determined a distribution plan yet.
Boni Stout, director of community health, said the staff continues to survey local nursing homes, assisted-living facilities and other health-care providers to determine the number of high-risk people who need immunizations.
"I know that [3,000] sounds like a lot but it's really not," Stout said.
She said the department will decide Tuesday how to distribute the vaccine in view of the national shortage expected by the three-month shutdown of a major vaccine producer.
As part of their effort to serve the people most vulnerable to the flu, health officials ask that high-risk people call 751-8110 and leave their name and phone number with the department.
A shortage of flu vaccine means potentially more than the average 36,000 deaths this year in the United States from flu complications. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized each year with flu complications such as bacterial pneumonia.
The Centers for Disease Control suggest that people search throughout the community for sources of vaccine if their regular providers have none available.
In past years, several Flathead Valley retailers and pharmacies have provided flu shot clinics as a service to customers.
A telephone survey Friday turned up several still planning flu shot clinics in coming weeks for high risk customers.
However, each emphasized that people must call a day or two ahead of the scheduled clinic to make sure the vaccine has arrived as expected. People should not pass up an earlier opportunity to get a shot if available.
The following clinics are planned:
. Smith's Food and Drug Center in Kalispell has clinics planned Oct. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kalispell store and from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Columbia Falls store. The pharmacy will charge $20 per shot and require a signature verifying the individual's high-risk status.
A press release from Smith's said that only people 13 and older will receive shots. A 12-year-old may receive a vaccination with a prescription from a health-care provider.
Shots will not be given to children under 12.
. Rosauers has a clinic planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 23. The pharmacy charges $20 for flu shots and $35 for pneumonia shots.
. Costco near Kalispell has a flu shot clinic scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 27. The store charges $15 for a flu shot and $25 for a pneumonia shot.
. ShopKo in Kalispell has planned a flu shot clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 3. The cost for a flu shot is $20; a pneumonia shot costs $30.
Health officials encourage people without risk factors to forgo getting a shot this year. Healthy people from age 5 to 49 also have the option of using the nasal mist vaccine made from a live, weakened flu virus.
The nasal vaccine is not approved for pregnant women.
Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.