Health department planning forflu vaccinations

Wahkiakum County health workers may begin administering influenza vaccinations in September, Health and Human Services Administrator Judy Bright announced Tuesday.The vaccinations would start with school children and people in at-risk groups who haven’t had previous vaccinations.

Bright reported that starting this year, health officials recommend that all children should be vaccinated.

Officials have been vaccinating children age six months through four years, and this year, officials recommend all children age 5-18 years be vaccinated.

The department will work with school districts to provide vaccinations for children. The department is attempting to secure Flu Mist vaccine for a school clinic; last year, officials vaccinated 85 children with the spray vaccine.

The health department is working with the Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic to provide vaccinations, Bright said.

The department has purchased 150 vaccine doses, and the clinic has ordered another 650 doses. The clinic will set aside flu shot days for adults. Health department personnel will reach out to vulnerable adults unable to travel easily to the clinic, Bright said.

Bright said the student vaccinations will be offered as soon as vaccine is received. Clinics for adults will be scheduled later in the fall.

From 1999 through 2001, the United States averaged 36,000 deaths per year from influenza and its complications, Bright said. Health officials feel annual flu vaccinations is the most effective method of preventing infection.