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Flu vaccine is on the way, county hears About 900 doses shipped; rest should be here before January By Bill Kettler Like an overdue check that�s "in the mail," Jackson County�s long-awaited flu vaccine should arrive soon. Or at least 20 percent of it. County public health officials said Wednesday they were promised that about 900 doses of flu vaccine would be shipped this week. By Wednesday afternoon, the vaccine had not arrived. "Until it�s here, promises are weak," said Vicki Barbour of the Jackson County Health Department. Shots available Flu shots will be available in Eagle Point from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, at Rick�s Greatway Market, 11100 Highway 62 . The shots cost $15 and will be provided by GetAFluShot.com, a Clackamas-based nurse-practitioner-owned business. Asante Health System is creating a waiting list for people who want a flu shot if (or when) more vaccine becomes available. People who want to get on the list may call 1-888-688-4920. Barbour said few Oregon counties have received their flu vaccines, "and those who have, have received very little." Flu vaccines have been scarce this year in many parts of the United States because of manufacturing problems at two of the four pharmaceutical companies that make it. Jackson County ordered 4,500 doses. Barbour said manufacturers and distributors have promised to deliver all flu vaccine before January. Flu shots are recommended for people over age 65 and people with serious health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. While vaccine supplies are scarce, public health officials have asked immunization providers to immunize only people who are most vulnerable. Many county residents still want a flu shot. Hundreds of people called Asante Health System Wednesday to make an appointment for a flu shot after Asante announced it had acquired 250 doses of vaccine. Appointments for all 250 doses were filled within 90 minutes. "We had a couple of them crying on the phone," said Asante spokesman David Preszler. "They were so grateful." Public-health officials prefer to give flu vaccines early in the winter to build immunity before the flu arrives, but there is still time for the vaccines to provide some protection against the influenza virus. Jennifer Kelly, of the Oregon Health Division, said generally the flu does not appear in Oregon until December, and it does not peak until January or February. The vaccine begins to build resistance to the flu within days and acquires its full strength in about two weeks. Kelly said just one flu case has been confirmed in Oregon, in Lane County. One isolated case does not mean the flu has arrived, because the man could have been exposed to the flu while traveling. She said the flu typically originates in China, moves across Asia into Europe, crosses the Atlantic to eastern North America and then makes its way across the continent to the West Coast. "We usually get the peak of our flu season in January. People still have time to get vaccinated." Barbour said public health officials have made plans to offer flu shots as soon as the vaccine arrives. Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.