Whatcom County government, health and education officials are coordinating their efforts to provide timely, accurate information on the current impact of the novel influenza A H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) in our area.

• Pharmacies and medical provider offices with vaccine. Click here for locations.
  

• Whatcom County Community H1N1 Flu Clinic Schedule: Everyone over 6 months of age is eligible for a H1N1 vaccination.  Remember -- It is safer to be vaccinated than to risk the complications from influenza.  
  
  Remember: children 9 or younger need two doses of vaccine spaced at least 28 days apart.

• See the Whatcom County Health Department website for additional information about H1N1.The H1N1 Call Center is staffed week days from 8:30 to 4:30 to answer H1N1 related questions. The call center number is (360)778-8170.

• Vaccine recall (12-23-09): Some nasal spray monovalent 2009 H1N1 vaccine is being recalled due to concerns about loss of potency during storage.  There are no safety concerns about the vaccine and those who received doses of the recalled vaccine do not need to be revaccinated. The manufacturer of the nasal spray vaccine, MedImmune, performs routine, ongoing stability testing of the vaccine. Stability testing means measuring the strength (also called potency) of the vaccine over time to make sure it does not go below a pre-specified limit during the vaccine’s “shelf life.” On December 18 and 21, the manufacturer notified CDC and FDA that the potency in 13 lots of nasal spray vaccine had decreased below the pre-specified limit or were at risk of falling below that limit within the upcoming week. The vaccine was within the specified range at the time the vaccine was distributed. The recalled vaccine was distributed in Washington between 9/30/09 and 10/26/09 and 4,400 doses were received in Whatcom County. All vaccine received in Whatcom County has been administered by the Health Department or distributed to local medical providers. Any medical providers who received this vaccine are being notified about this recall.  Although there is no safety concern or need for revaccination of those who received the vaccine, any unused vaccine will be returned and vaccine with adequate potency will be used.More information is available on the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/sprayrecall_qa.htm

• Vaccine recall (12-15-09): Some H1N1 vaccine manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur has been voluntarily recalled. There are no safety issues with the vaccine, but it’s not quite as potent as it should be. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say the vaccine should still protect kids from H1N1 flu. The vaccine is only for children under three. Children who have already received the recalled vaccine don’t need to be revaccinated. However, children nine and under still need two doses of H1N1 vaccine at least 28 days apart.  Whatcom County received 100 doses of the  recalled vaccine. Of those 22 doses were administered and the remaining 78 doses will be returned.

For more information: www.flu.gov

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Additional Resources

Local / Regional

• Whatcom County H1N1 Information
  • H1N1 FAQs
  • Whatcom County Weekly Influenza Report
  • Herald Q&A with Dr. Greg Stern, WCHD Health Officer 
• St. Josephs Hospital
• Washington State Department of Health

National / Global

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • CDC website in Spanish
  • H1N1 vaccine and Seniors
  • Get pneumococcal vaccination to help prevent secondary infections
• World Health Organization