The Spokane Regional Health District announced today that they are moving an H1N1 (swine) influenza, public vaccination clinic from the Central YMCA across the street to the Arena. The move is designed to accommodate more vaccinations of people who meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) criteria for prioritized vaccination. Only those who are among the CDC’s prioritized groups will qualify for the free vaccine.
“During this week’s phone-in appointments for the nasal spray version of the vaccine, it was apparent that many people in our community are interested in protecting themselves from the H1N1 virus,” said Dr. Joel McCullough, Health Officer for the Spokane Regional Health District. “Our goal is to vaccinate as many high-risk people, as quickly as is possible; the move to the arena helps us accomplish that goal.”
About four thousand doses of the nasal spray vaccine are expected to be available during the clinic. The Health District hopes to have a small amount of the flu shot vaccine which is suitable for other high risk groups who cannot receive the nasal spray version of the vaccine.
Who can receive nasal spray vaccine:
* Healthy people ages 2-24 who are not pregnant
* Healthy adults ages 25 -49 who are healthcare workers OR who live with or care for an infant less than 6 months old
Who can receive the flu shot vaccine:
Anyone in one of the CDC’s prioritized groups, which are
* Pregnant women, because they are at higher risk of complications from influenza;
* Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age, because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications, and cannot be vaccinated -- vaccinating close contacts protects infants;
* Health care and emergency medical services personnel who provide direct patient care, to prevent illness and transmission to patients. Illness and absenteeism in this group could impact our health care system capacity;
* All people 6 months to 24 years of age, because the majority of cases have occurred in this age group, and because of the increased likelihood of disease spread in schools and childcare settings; and
* People 25 to 64 years of age who have underlying health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from flu.
In addition to the clinic at the Arena, the Health District has several additional clinics planned:
Spokane Veteran’s Arena
Saturday, October 24,
Valley YMCA
Saturday, November 7, 9 am - 3 pm
North YMCA
Saturday, November 14, 9 am - 3 pm
West Central Community Center
Monday, November 2, 11 am - 6 pm
Friday, November 13, 11 am - 6 pm
Spokane Valley Partners
Tuesday, November 3, 11 am - 6 pm
Monday, November 9, 11 am - 6 pm
Airway Heights Community Center
Wednesday, November 4, 11 am - 6 pm
Wednesday, November 18, 11 am - 6 pm
East Central Community Center
Thursday, November 5, 11 am - 6 pm
Tuesday, November 10, 11 am - 6 pm
Northeast Community Center
Friday, November 6, 11 am - 6 pm
Thursday, November 12, 11 am - 6 pm
As weekly vaccine shipments arrive, they will be distributed to area hospitals, healthcare providers and other venues where priority groups can receive the vaccination. People are urged to contact their healthcare provider to see if they can receive a vaccination at their primary healthcare office.
Once efforts have been made to vaccinate prioritized groups, the vaccine will become available to everyone who would like to protect themselves through vaccination.
The public is urged to continue to check the Health District’s website and recorded information line (509) 324-1495. These resources will contain up-to-date information on vaccine availability.
The Health District’s website www.srhd.org offers comprehensive, updated information on H1N1 (swine) influenza, and links to other reliable information sources.
Spokane Regional Health District provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations. Requests may be made by calling 324-1480 or TDD 324-1464.
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