Local health officials expect an initial, small supply of H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine to arrive in Snohomish County within three weeks. The first shipment of up to 6,000 doses is designated to immunize health care workers and frontline emergency workers. Vaccine in subsequent shipments will be offered to people who are most at risk of complications from H1N1 illness.

Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer and director of the Snohomish Health District, said the county expects to receive up to 130,000 additional doses of H1N1 vaccine before the end of November. Locally, it will be distributed through area pharmacies, doctors’ offices, and at least a dozen special mass immunization clinics in cities throughout the county.

There will be enough vaccine for everyone, but supplies will be limited at first. CDC recommends the H1N1 vaccine for the following people first, health care & emergency services workers, pregnant women, caregivers & household contacts of children younger than six months; people age six months to 24 years; people age 25 to 64 years with health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from the flu.

“The entire health care community has stepped up and pulled together to plan this tremendous effort,” said Dr. Goldbaum.

Seasonal influenza strikes the elder population more severely than other age groups. H1N1 flu sickens younger people age 6 months to 24 years. Some deaths occur every year from both types of flu, but most people recover within a week with no complications.

Find more information about seasonal and H1N1 flu at www.flu.gov, www.cdc.gov, www.doh.wa.gov, and www.snocoflu.com.