The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended available influenza vaccinations be administered to priority groups only. Priority or high-risk groups include children under two years old, adults over 65 years, anyone with underlying chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, children on chronic aspirin therapy, residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, anyone who is in regular contact with children under 6 months old and health-care workers involved in direct-patient care.
Anyone not included in a priority group is asked to not get vaccinated or to wait until priority-group needs have been met.
A limited supply of an intranasally administered vaccine alternative may be available at the HWS pharmacy in the future, and an update will be issued if this occurs. Because the intranasally administered vaccine contains live, weakened flu viruses, it is only recommended for normally healthy people under age 50. Flu vaccinations injected by needle contain killed viruses that are safer for high-risk groups.
WSU students, faculty and staff who meet the priority guidelines may be able to get vaccinated at the following locations:
- Safeway in
- Palouse Medical is only administering vaccinations to high-risk candidates who are current patients, said administrative assistant Renee Hanson. Current patients include anyone seen at the clinic in the last two years, Hanson said.
- Pullman Family Medicine has vaccinations available to any person in the CDC priority groups, said receptionist Jessie Ruffridge. If supplies last, Pullman Family Medicine will hold flu vaccine clinics Oct. 18 and 26 where they will offer vaccines to anyone, Ruffridge said.
For more information about influenza, vaccination and protective measures for the unvaccinated, visit www.hws.wsu.edu.
