H1N1 vaccine is now available to everyone, and there's plenty to go around. Mel Kohn, MD, MPH, acting director of Oregon Public Health, recommends that everyone get vaccinated, but it's still especially important for those at high risk of complications from flu.
Since Sept. 1, 2009, 1,307 people in Oregon have been hospitalized with influenza-like illness and 66 have died (as of Feb 2, 2010).
Supplies of H1N1 vaccine are keeping up with demand. Most pharmacies in supermarkets and chain stores now have both H1N1 and seasonal vaccines; pharmacists can immunize anyone age 15 and older. Health care providers and public clinics also have vaccine.
The statewide flu hotline at 1-800-978-3040 has the most recent information about open flu clinics, as well as nurses standing by to provide advice about the flu. You can also check our online flu vaccine locator.
Oregon Public Health officials are reminding people that the vaccine protection doesn’t start immediately so it is important to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
“We’ve just come through one big H1N1 wave and we want to prevent the next one by vaccinating as many people as we can,” Kohn says.
Although H1N1 cases are declining and vaccine is plentiful, other prevention measures are still important - chiefly, wash your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes with something other than your hands, stay home if you're sick, and get vaccinated as soon as possible.
For frequent updates on the status of the H1N1 vaccine supply and more detailed information, please visit our News Room.