Fighting the flu: Update on county’s H1N1 vaccine announcement

| Health | Swine flu | West Seattle news

New information from King County tonight, after the county’s announcement this afternoon — saying two local drugstores would be offering H1N1 vaccine to some high-risk people — conflicted with what WSBers were told when they called those stores. We inquired immediately with the King County Public Health staffers who sent out the media release – and just received this update from James Apa with King County:

Wanted to get you the latest on the H1N1 vaccination clinics. Our website is updated now, and the two Walgreens in the West Seattle vicinity are hosting flu clinics on Tuesday, November 10th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. We have a great relationship with our pharmacy partners and they’re doing a public service in hosting these clinics. In some cases, there was a timing issue with information being communicated to their individual sites, but it’s resolved now. Thanks to everyone for their patience.

Schedules for appointments are already starting to fill up, and we’ll be continuing to update our site over the weekend as availability changes:
www.kingcounty.gov/healthservices/health/preparedness/pandemicflu/swineflu/locations.aspx

Crystal November 6, 2009 (8:56 pm)

For those with kids under 9: I got an appointment at the Rainier Safeway and the county web site says they’re still taking nasal mist appointments.

eileen November 6, 2009 (9:50 pm)

That’s ridiculous that all the WS locations are for nine and older. I thought 6 months and older was one of the high risk groups?

Sarah November 7, 2009 (10:31 am)

It’s also ridiculous that preference is not being given for the “high risk” group. It’s a free for all. I’m pregnant, and cannot get a vaccine because they’re all gone. My son under 1 year, and there’s none available.

Asthma Parent November 7, 2009 (9:13 pm)

Complain to King County Health. I complained about the lack of prioritization and the general unprofessional way King County Health has handled this. At White Center… they were handing out vaccines at a rate of 10 per hour. Making everyone sit around for hours and hours. I guess they had to yuck it up about famility planning or some other such nonsense. Was “uninsured” a risk factor noted by the CDC? Hell no, it wasn’t. So, why should every uninsured yahoo have access when everyone else has to go grovel to pharmacies? The whole process absolutely sucks.

Asthma Parent November 7, 2009 (9:16 pm)

Yes. Lots and lots and lots of pharmacies won’t serve anyone under 14 years of age. Hello! Children with moderate to severe asthma AND pregnant women are the HIGHEST risk… and now those clowns at King County health are giving this out to pharmacies that refuse to serve those high risk groups. Sorry Jimbo… that’s no public service! Get a real job!

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