Health Care Workers to Receive H1N1 Vaccine

Oct. 9, 2009
 
 
 
BELLINGHAM – Whatcom County is one of the first in the state to receive its initial allocation of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Peace Health – which includes Peace Health Medical Group and St. Joseph Hospital – will begin administering the nasal spray vaccine to health care workers beginning Monday morning, Oct. 12.
 
This first batch of vaccine is a relatively small quantity; however, a larger quantity of the vaccine, in the form of flu shots, is expected to be available within weeks, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
 
"Getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick," said Marc Pierson, MD, of St. Joseph Hospital. "But it continues to be important to practice good hand hygiene and stay home when you're sick."
 
H1N1 vaccination is voluntary. Adults who want the vaccine will need one dose, children will need two. Once the H1N1 vaccine is available, it may be given on the same day as the seasonal flu vaccine.
 
For more information, visit http://www.em.whatcomcounty.org/go/site/2040/ or http://www.flu.gov/.
 
St. Joseph Hospital, a not-for-profit full-service hospital sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, is part of the PeaceHealth System with hospitals in Alaska, Washington and Oregon.  In addition to the hospital and PeaceHealth Medical Group, in Whatcom County PeaceHealth services include a diagnostic laboratory and a joint venture outpatient imaging service.  

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