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Demand for flu vaccine is outpacing supply, and it’s leading Skagit County to work with neighboring health departments to share resources.
After opening its nasal H1N1 vaccine supply to all healthy people ages 2 to 49, the Skagit County Department of Health ran out Tuesday.
Its already shallow supply of injectable vaccine was running low, as well. That means pregnant women are the only people who can receive the vaccine until a new shipment comes in, possibly Friday.
Last week was busy at the Skagit County Health Department.
The department gave out 8,000 vaccinations, which included seasonal flu, H1N1, travel shots and required school vaccinations, said Sandi Paciotti, communicable disease manager.
Not only did the department run out of the H1N1 nasal spray, which is only used for healthy people without compromised immune systems, it ran out of regular seasonal flu vaccine for children, as well.
“This is happening everywhere,” said Health Director Peter Browning. “Every health department across the state running a clinic similar to ours is running out.”
The low supply prompted health departments in Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom counties to discuss sharing supplies as needed.
For more information, call the county’s flu hotline at 360-419-3313.
