Health officials launch free H1N1 flu vaccination clinics Saturday
December 4, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 4, 2009
Public Health – Seattle & King County will host free H1N1 vaccine clinics Saturday and Wednesday. The clinics are set up to provide access to people at the greatest risk from the illness, also known as swine flu, but cannot afford to pay for a vaccination.
The vaccination clinics will be from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and from noon – 7 p.m. Wednesday. The vaccine will be available at these locations:
- Renton Public Health Center, 3001 N.E. Fourth St., Renton
- Columbia Public Health Center, 4400 37th Ave. S., Seattle
- North Public Health Center, 10501 Meridian Ave. N., Seattle
- Federal Way Public Health Center, 33431 13th Place S., Federal Way
Officials said 4,000 doses of vaccine would available across the four sites Saturday. During the Wednesday clinics, 1,000 doses will be available across the four locations.
Vaccinations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; no reservations will be taken. If demand is high, people will be given a time later in the day to return for a guaranteed vaccination. After the supply is exhausted, people will be told as they arrive.
H1N1 vaccine available at Issaquah, King County pharmacies
November 9, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. Nov. 9, 2009
Pharmacies around King County — including the pharmacy at the Northwest Gilman Boulevard QFC — received 15,000 doses of H1N1, or swine flu, vaccine, the local health department announced Friday.
Many of the 44 participating pharmacies will take appointments by phone; some will be holding walk-up clinics without appointment during the week ahead. See the full list of pharmacies, along with hours, types of vaccine available, vaccination age ranges and fees here.
The site will be updated Monday through Friday by noon; residents should contact the pharmacies for the most up-to-date information.
With limited national vaccine supplies, Public Health – Seattle & King County officials had to delay a plan to make the vaccine widely available through community venues. As more vaccine becomes available, additional vaccination sites, including community clinics, will become available.
Voters will decide fire-protection funding measure
October 27, 2009
Voters will decide fire-protection funding measure
Voters in Klahanie, Preston, Tiger Mountain, May Valley and Carnation — the area covered by Fire Protection District 10 — will decide whether to reauthorize a charge to provide dollars for emergency fire and medical service on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Proposition 1 would lower the district property tax rate from $1.50 to a maximum of $1 per $1,000 of assessed value. No organized opposition to Proposition 1 has materialized.
District officials said a lower property tax rate in conjunction with the charge — based upon building size and use — is a more equitable and stable way to pay for emergency services.
Flu vaccine now available in King County
September 11, 2009
NEW — 10:27 a.m. Sept. 11, 2009
Seasonal flu vaccine is available in King County, public health officials announced Thursday. Officials said vaccination is the best way prevent getting sick and lessen the severity of illness.
Federal health officials expect a separate vaccine to protect the H1N1 flu strain, or swine flu, to be distributed in October.
In King County, flu shots are available now at many doctors’ offices and other health providers, including drugstores and pharmacies.
Some healthcare providers also have FluMist, the live-attenuated vaccine. Instead of an injection, a small amount of vaccine is sprayed into each nostril.
City, schools gird for possible swine flu outbreak
September 8, 2009
City and school officials are keeping close watch on information about the H1N1 flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the local public health agency. Read more
Teach kids tips to avoid flu outbreak
September 2, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. Sept. 2, 2009
Health officials braced for another wave of H1N1 flu are using the start of a new school year today as an opportunity to educate parents and students.
Red Cross officials encouraged parents to take flu-prevention steps now to keep their children healthy in the event of a swine flu outbreak. Officials recommend the following tips:
- Teach children proper and consistent hand-washing techniques.
- Tell children to avoid sharing utensils, cups and bottles.
- Show children how to cover their mouths and noses with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and wash their hands afterwards. Teach them to cough or sneeze into their elbow or upper arm if they lack a tissue.
- Teach children to keep hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth to keep germs from entering the body.
“September is National Preparedness Month, so we always encourage families to go over their preparedness plans, but this year, it is especially important with the potential of H1N1,” said Amy Ezzo, youth and young adult services program coordinator for the local Red Cross chapter. “Parents should talk with the school about what the plans are for a potential flu outbreak, as well as going over flu prevention methods with their kids.”
City, schools prepared for swine flu
May 5, 2009
After several probable cases of swine flu were identified in King County, city and Issaquah School District officials said they were prepared if an outbreak occurs here. Officials took steps to reassure the public as the number of cases rose and officials elsewhere closed schools as a precautionary measure. Read more
City, schools prepared as swine flu arrives in King County
April 30, 2009
UPDATED — 9:15 a.m. May 1, 2009
Ten probable cases of swine flu have been identified in King County, public health officials said today.
Public Health – Seattle & King County spokeswoman Megan Coppersmith outlined seven new probable cases.
The cases include a woman in her 20s, four children ages 8-12, and two other children whose mother was previously reported as a probable case.
The cases announced Wednesday include three Seattle residents: a man in his 20s, a woman in her 30s and a boy who is a student at Madrona K-8.
Officials said the Madrona student is hospitalized and his condition is improving. Seattle School District officials closed Madrona K-8 this morning as a precautionary measure. The other people are not hospitalized and their conditions are improving.
Coppersmith said the infected people reside in King County, but did not have additional details. She said none of the reported cases are serious.
“These symptoms appear to be pretty mild,” she said.
