County has plenty of H1N1 flu vaccine
Flathead County Health Officer Joe Russell said Thursday that the City-County Health Department has a large supply of H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine ready to distribute to anyone 6 months and older.
“We’ve got 8,700 doses in the refrigerator,” he said.
At the County Board of Health meeting, Russell said the department turned back an additional allotment offered this week because of the many doses now stockpiled.
Russell and Community Health Services Director Jody White reported that 10,451 doses of H1N1 vaccine have been administered to the public in Flathead County so far this season. The number includes 784 second doses given to children 9 and under.
The percentages of the local population vaccinated include 25.44 percent given to those ages 6 months to 18 years old; 7.37 percent to ages 19 to 24; 10.8 percent to ages 25 to 49; 9 percent to ages 50 to 64 and almost 12 percent to people 65 and over.
White said the department has administered more than 5,000 doses of the seasonal flu vaccine so far this season.
In the discussion following the report, board members noted media reports that 10,000 people have died nationwide from H1N1 flu. In Montana, 18 people have died.
Russell said public health officials face the obstacle of convincing people to get immunized with reports that H1N1 flu causes only minor illness in most people. He said they don’t consider the risk of cases of severe illness like that experienced by Manchester, Mont. Volunteer Fire Chief Leonard Lundby.
A man in his early 50s, Lundby came down with mild flu symptoms that progressed quickly to a severe illness in which his organs began to shut down and both lungs were infected with pneumonia. After two months in the hospital and a loss of 40 pounds, Lundby has finally started to recover.
To encourage immunizations, the health department staff has distributed posters, sent letters and worked with local media to inform the public of the free vaccinations.
“People should realize that novel H1N1 will be around for awhile,” Russell said.
He said it will become a component of the next seasonal vaccine. By getting a dose now, Russell said next year’s flu vaccine would serve as an immunity booster if the virus flares up again.
“Why wouldn’t you get it on board now?” he asked.
Experts say this novel flu virus may circulate for two years, as was the case with the infamous Spanish flu .
Located at 1035 First Avenue West in Kalispell, the health department offers clinics each day of the coming week, Dec. 14-18. They run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day with extended hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday. People may receive either vaccine or both on the same day.
H1N1 is free while the seasonal flu vaccine requires a payment of $25 for adults or $15 for those 6 months to 18 years old. Medicare and Medicaid cards are accepted for payment.