Is the H1N1 vaccine clinic Saturday in Puyallup the only confirmed school clinic in Pierce County?

Yes. It is the first such clinic in Pierce County. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Emerald Ridge High School, 12405 184th St. E.

Who is coordinating the clinic?

Tacoma-Pierce County Public Health Department.

Will there be a charge for the vaccine?

No, it is free.

What vaccine will be available at the Puyallup clinic?

Up to 3,000 doses of the new 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Most of it is in nasal form though some injectable shots will be available.

Who should come to the Puyallup clinic?

The Tacoma Pierce County Health Department is targeting students and young people ages 2 to 24 years of age who live in the Puyallup School District. Parents must accompany those under 18.

Will anyone be turned away from the Puyallup clinic because they don’t live in the Puyallup School District?

No, but Health Department officials are suggesting parents wait for a clinic in their area so as not to overload the Puyallup clinic.

Can pregnant women, children under 2 or those with asthma or diabetes get the swine flu vaccine at the Puyallup clinic?

Probably not. Those categories of people cannot be given the nasal mist because it has a live virus and it is hard for the very young to sniff the mist properly. The mist is for healthy individuals. They can get an injectable vaccine shot which has an inactive virus, but supplies at the clinic will be very limited. Health officials encourage them to see their own medical provider when supplies improve.

Are there any other Health Department school clinics planned?

Yes, but dates are still tentative:

 • Nov. 1: Bethel High School, 22212 38th Ave. E., Spanaway; Bethel and Franklin-Pierce school districts.

 • Nov. 7: Clover Park High School, 11023 Gravelly Lake Drive S.W., Lakewood; Clover Park and Steilacoom school districts

 • Nov. 21: Mount Tahoma High School, 4634 S. 74th St., Tacoma; Tacoma and University Place school districts.

 • Dec. 5: Fife High School, 5616 20th St. E., Tacoma; Sumner, Fife and Dieringer school districts.

 • Dec. 12: Wilson High School, 1202 N. Orchard, Tacoma; Tacoma and University Place school districts.

If I can’t go to a school clinic, where else can I go?

The health department is planning two community swine flu clinics next month but no dates have been set. You can also contact your health provider or pharmacy.

Are any other school districts planning free swine flu vaccine clinics?

Peninsula School District in conjunction with Franciscan Health Systems is planning two of them for students 2 to 24 years of age: Oct. 28 at Key Peninsula Middle School from 2:45 to 5:45 p.m. and again Nov. 18 at Peninsula High School from 2:15 to 5:15 p.m.

White River School District is working with Franciscan Health System and coordinating with the Pierce County Health Department to hold a swine flu vaccine clinic next month. The tentative date is Nov. 19 at Glacier Middle School but district officials said they will notify district residents when the date is firmed up.

Do pharmacies, medical clinics, private medical providers and retail outlets like Safeway have the swine flu vaccine?

Not that we know of. The swine flu vaccine is now being distributed to those outlets but currently few have any. That should begin to change as supplies reach the county.

How many doses of H1N1 vaccine has the Health Department received?

As of this week, the Health Department has received 14,000 doses, half of which are mist and half injectable shots. The department had hoped to have 120,000 by mid-October but manufacturing delays have pushed that back to mid-November. The county is forecast to get 550,000 doses.

Are any public H1N1 flu vaccine clinics planned in South King County?

Public Health-Seattle & King County is offering free swine flu vaccine primarily to uninsured adults who are at increased risk because they have significant health problems beginning today.

They will be available at the Federal Way Public Health Center, 33431 13th Place S., Federal Way, the Alder Square Public Health Center, 1404 Central Ave. S., Suites 101 & 112, in Kent and the White Center Public Health Center, 10821 Eighth Ave. S.W., Seattle.

The clinics will be open to people up through 64 years of age who have significant health problems that put them at greater risk for serious complications for H1N1. Examples would include heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, diabetes and HIV/AIDS.

Mike Archbold: 253-597-8692

mike.archbold@thenewstribune.com