In a coordinated effort to be prepared for the 2001-02 flu season, representatives from health organiztions in Benton and Linn counties have come together to plan their flu vaccine distribution strategy, with a goal to make sure that every person in the area has access to a flu vaccination this season.
That goal will be met regardless of any potential delays in vaccine shipment and regardless of which organizations receive their shipments first, according to representatives.
“This isn’t about competition among the various health care organizations,” Samaritan Health Services Pharmacy Services Director Penny Reher said. “This is about pooling our resources to serve our community responsibly. It’s about delivering good health care.”
Local health care representatives are basing their current strategies on distribution plans that were successful during last season’s anticipated flu vaccine shortage. They’re also assessing current information from the Center for Disease Prevention and Epidemiology, which predicts that as much as 40 percent of the flu vaccine for this season may not be available by the end of October.
The main elements of the local vaccine distribution program include the following:
-Assuring that high-risk individuals get their immunizations firs with the general public receiving shots soon after. Immuniozations for this high-risk group will begin in late October and will occur when thise individuals see their primary care providers for routine care, are hospitalized or seen in home care.
-Setting sites and times for the immunization of the general public. This year, the state Health Division has asked that high-risk individuals get priority over healthy adults and that the general public receive shots only after Nov. 1.
-Establishing a hotline for flu information.
-Putting flu immunization information on websites.
-Using a standardized patient information form that can be filled out at the time of immunization and then routed to each patient’s primary care provider. The purpose of the form is to ensure continuity of individuals’ health histories.
Each flu immunization will cost $15. The cost is covered by most insurance plans, and patients are asked to bring their insurance cards with them. Patients also are cared encourage to attend the flu clinics associated with their own primary care providers.
The Corvallis Clinic has a hotline for flu immunization information, (541) 754-1283. Websites for pertinent information come from the clinic include http://www.corvallis.com, http://www.samhealth.org and http://www.co.linn.or.us/shots. All of the sites are working together to present up-to-date information.
Last year also, health representatives throughout Linn and Benton counties came together to establish a vaccine distribution plan. In fact, their cooperative efforts won them a “Community Heroes” recognition form the state Health Department.
Groups at high risk for inluenza
-Persons 65 or older.
-Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities that house persons of any age who have chronic medical conditions.
-Adults and children who have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems, including children with asthma.
-Adults and children who have required regular medical followup or hospitalization during the preceding year because of chronic, metabolic diseases, including diabetes, mellitus, renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, immunosuppression or immunosuppression caused by medications.
-Children and teenagers who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy that might put them at risk for developing Reye’s syndrome after influenza.
-Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the inluenze season.
-Persons having close contact with any of the above.
Immunization times
Sweet Home Family Medicine
679 Main St.
Oct 27: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (high risk)
Nov. 10: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 17: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Park Street Clinic
325 Park St., Lebanon
Oct 27: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (high risk)
Nov. 10: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 17: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Linn County Health Department
Nov. 1: 1:30 to 4 p.m., Sweet Home Senior Center, 880 18th Ave.
Nov. 2: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Lebanon Boys and Girls Club, 305 Fifth St.