Someone stole two vials of the H1N1 influenza vaccine from an unlocked medical refrigerator at Providence SoundHomeCare & Hospice, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.

There were 10 doses of the vaccine in each vial, and the total value of the stolen H1N1 vaccine is about $2,000, said Thurston County Sheriff’s Lt. Chris Mealy.

The theft at the hospice, located in the 3400 block of South Bay Road in Olympia, likely occurred between noon Nov. 4 and around 3:30 p.m. Friday, Mealy said.

The theft was reported to authorities Monday, according to Mealy.

In addition to the two stolen vials, a third vial of the H1N1 vaccine that was being stored in the refrigerator was compromised and was missing “a dose or two,” Mealy said.

There was no sign of forced entry, Mealy said.

Catherine Koziar, an associate marketing director at the hospice, declined to comment Tuesday except to confirm that the theft is under investigation.

The vaccine was being provided to hospice employees who visit with medical patients in their homes, Mealy said.

Thurston County Health Officer Diana Yu said Tuesday that people should never buy a “black market” flu vaccine, because there’s no way to be sure of what you’re getting. People should take flu vaccine that is administered only by a licensed health care provider, she added. “If somebody is out in the street peddling H1N1 vaccine, I would not believe them,” she said.

In the past, authorities in Washington have investigated spurious clinics that were using fake flu vaccines, as well as providers that weren’t licensed to provide the flu vaccine, Yu said.

Yu said doses of the H1N1 vaccine are slowly but steadily being distributed throughout Thurston County. Health officials in the county are getting new doses of the H1N1 vaccine in small amounts just about every other day, she said.

“The bottom line is the vaccine is getting out there,” she said.

Health care workers, emergency medical service providers, pregnant women, people younger than 24, and people with a chronic illness between the ages of 25 and 64 are at the top of the list to receive the H1N1 vaccine, Yu said.

Jeremy Pawloski: 360-754-5465

jpawloski@theolympian.com