San Juan County has honored four organizations – including San Juan County’s Public Health Clinics, for achieving 100 percent coverage of their employees with influenza vaccine.

Because health professionals, receptionists and laboratory technicians are often exposed to the influenza virus multiple times in the course of their work, there is a danger that they could contract and spread the disease. It is particularly serious because they deal with vulnerable patients including infants, toddlers, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes.

In addition to the county-run clinics, Orcas Island Family Medicine, Orcas Medical Center and San Juan Health Care Associates achieved 100 percent coverage of their employees with influenza vaccine for those involved with direct patient care.

The County Health and Community Services Department reminds county residents that influenza season is still underway and it is not too late to receive this year’s influenza vaccine.

For more information, please contact Susan Leff RN, MSN at 378-4474.