Flu vaccine available soon, health official say

Wahkiakum County residents may soon be able to obtain their annual influenza vaccinations.

Dr. Alan Melnick, county public health officer, said vaccine supplies are being shipped and will be available soon.

"It's not too soon to be vaccinated," he said. "The vaccination will last through the flu season."

People should contact their primary health care provider to obtain vaccinations, said Judy Bright, county health department administrator.

Dian Cooper of the Cowlitz Family Health Center, which operates the Cathlamet clinic, said the center would be able to provide vaccinations next week.

Bright said that budget reductions have curtailed the service the county health department can provide, with a focus on serving the elderly and those who have no primary health care provider. The health department will provide a vaccination clinic at the Rosburg senior meal site, and they'll have clinic hours at the health department in Cathlamet for people unable to access a primary health care provider in the Cathlamet and Skamokawa areas.

In other health department business, Dr. Melnick reported that a decision by Cowlitz County commissioners could affect Wahkiakum's health officer status. For several years, Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties have teamed to use regional health officers based in Clark County, but Cowlitz is now considering having its own officer, he said.

If Cowlitz remains in the cooperative, Dr. Melnick will recruit a doctor to fill a vacancy in the program; if Cowlitz leaves, the program could be changed, he said.

"Regardless of what happens, we'll make sure Wahkiakum County has health officer coverage," he said.

Also, Bright and and Wahkiakum Environmental Health Specialist Matt Swanson reported they are proceeding with efforts to educate the public and civic groups about the process for issuing temporary food service permits.

The department is working to extend the application time so that they can schedule staff to work on event days and thus ensure safe food service for the public.