The state is still awaiting more H1N1 vaccine, but it soon will receive additional supplies of antiviral medications from national stockpiles to help children fight flu symptoms.

About 5,100 bottles of Tamiflu for kids will be shipped to Washington state next week from the Strategic National Stockpile, which is sending a total of 300,000 bottles to the states.

Tamiflu combats the flu after a person is stricken, and should be taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, such as upper respiratory congestion, fever and chills. H1N1 vaccine is given to keep a person from getting swine flu in the first place.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend flu vaccine as the first, most important step in countering the flu. Tamiflu speeds up the healing process and prevents serious complications.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department does not know how many bottles of Tamiflu it will receive, spokeswoman Eileen Finnigan said Friday.

The shipment, expected to arrive between Monday and Wednesday, will ease the county’s shortage of pediatric Tamiflu, which comes in liquid form.

Pierce County pharmacies have been preparing pediatric Tamiflu by “taking capsules and opening them up,” mixing the contents with syrup to create a liquid that is taken orally, Finnigan said.

The county does not have a shortage of regular, pill-form Tamiflu, which is given to adults, Finnigan added.

Antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu are not sold over-the-counter. People exhibiting early signs of the flu should contact their doctors or health-care providers for a prescription.

As for efforts to protect against swine flu, the next public clinic is tentatively scheduled for next Saturday at Clover Park High School. Health officials will decide Tuesday if they have enough vaccine to hold the clinic.

A clinic planned for Sunday at Bethel High School was canceled.

The department used up most of its supply of H1N1 vaccine, both nasal mist and injectable shots, at its first public clinic Oct. 25 at Emerald Ridge High School in Puyallup. More than 2,500 people were vaccinated.

Joyce Chen: 253-597-8426

joyce.chen@thenewstribune.com