Flu vaccine shortages not expected this year.

Byline: Matt Cooper The Register-Guard

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that flu vaccine supplies look adequate for this year's flu season and no shortages are expected, said Sarah Hendrickson, Lane County public health officer.

However, the center requests that flu vaccination providers immunize only high-risk individuals through Oct. 23. Following that date, flu vaccinations will be open to all who are eligible.

The situation contrasts with October 2004, when state health officials invoked an emergency law restricting vaccine to people in high-risk groups, including the elderly, the chronically ill and young children, because of a nationwide vaccine shortage. They eased those restrictions in December 2004.

"Influenza season typically peaks in Oregon between December and March," Hendrickson said. "Influenza kills more than 500 and hospitalizes thousands in Oregon each year. Immunizing our high-risk patients annually works to prevent illness, hospitalizations and death."

Influenza or `the flu' is a respiratory disease with symptoms such as fever, headaches, extreme tiredness, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches.

Lane County Public Health has planned flu shot clinics for high-risk groups at the following locations:

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wheeler Pavilion/Lane County Fairgrounds, 796 W. 13th Ave., Eugene.

Friday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Willamalane Adult Activity Center, 215 West C St., Springfield.

Lane County Public Health's November flu clinics will be open to the public at the following locations on:

Monday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to noon at Cottage Grove Community Center, 700 East Gibbs Ave., Cottage Grove.

Thursday, Nov. 10, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Campbell Senior Center, 155 High St., Eugene.

Thursday, Nov. 17, 10 a.m. to noon at the Nazarene Church, 48181 Highway 58 in Oakridge.

Friday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Festival Hall, 195 W. Fifth, Junction City.

Friday, Nov. 18, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Veneta Community Center, 25192 E. Broadway.

Monday, Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wheeler Pavilion/ Lane County Fairgrounds, 796 W. 13th Ave., Eugene.

For a complete listing of clinics and up-to-date immunization information, call the Lane County Public Health Flu Line at 682-4181 or log on to www.lanecounty.org.

Flu shots cost $22 at Lane County Public Health clinics. Pneumonia shots cost $33 and are available to those who are 65 years of age and older who have never had one.

The county is able to bill the Oregon Health Plan and some Medicare insurance. Bring primary Medicare or Oregon Health Plan insurance information. If the county is unable to bill insurance directly, cash, personal checks, or VISA/MasterCard will be accepted.

Until Oct. 24, high-risk groups include only the following who should receive a vaccination: Anyone over age 65, especially those with health problems; residents of long-term care facilities; individuals age 2 to 64 who have chronic health problems; pregnant women; health care personnel who provide direct patient care; household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age; children ages 6 months to 23 months.

Parents of young children are encouraged to have them vaccinated at their medical providers office or at the county's regular Wednesday morning walk-in immunization clinics between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

After Oct. 24, any individual over 6 months of age is eligible for a vaccine. Talk to a health care provider for information about when to receive a shot.

Another immunization choice for some healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49 years is a Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine, more commonly known as `FluMist.' It is approved after consultation with a health care provider.