LAKE COUNTY ? As the initial shipment of swine flu vaccinations wanes, so may be peak flu activity.
“Still, it”s a good idea to get a vaccination,” Lake County Public Health Officer Karen Tait said.
Health care providers and pharmacies still have swine flu vaccinations they aim to give to priority groups, Tait said. Target groups include those who have the highest risk of developing serious swine flu, or H1N1, cases, including: pregnant women, caregivers of people who live with children 6 months or younger, health care and emergency personnel, all people from 6 months old to 24 years old and 25- to 64-year-olds with health conditions associated with high risk of complications.
Tait expects Lake County will get another distribution of about 8,000 to 9,000 doses in December as well as later shipments, Tait said.
Unless the public health department receives enough vaccinations, the department will continue to disperse vaccinations to local health care providers and pharmacies, Tait said.
“We hoped to have big clinics by December,” Tait said. “I don”t think we”re going to have enough vaccinations to put on large clinics.”
The Public Health Department has enough vaccinations to immunize clients who already go to the department for services such as well child visits, Tait said. The department will also vaccinate some target groups such as preschoolers and special needs children.
“We really can”t handle self-referred people in terms of supplies,” Tait said. “We will take referrals from health care providers.”
Tait recommends that people who want vaccinations stand by, watch the news and read ads, she said. She said not to overrun health care providers with calls, but to be aware whether doctors and pharmacies expect to get vaccinations.
“Anyone in these target groups should have a doctor,” Tait said. “If they don”t, we”d like to help them find a doctor.”
The Lakeport Safeway Pharmacy scheduled swine flu shot clinics from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Because the pharmacy has a limited amount of vaccinations, they will give priority to at-risk groups, said Mike Maravich, Lakeport Safeway Pharmacy manager. The pharmacy will charge $15 per vaccination and will not bill insurance.
North Lake Medical Pharmacy in Lakeport has the vaccine for pregnant women, who can call 263-1328 to make an appointment for a shot, owner and pharmacist Bill Kearney said.
Tait said she expects to receive shipments of swine flu shots possibly until the fall flu season in 2010. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines ask people 65 and older to wait for vaccinations.
“We just want to take care of the target groups,” Tait said.
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
