The Orcas Island medical community would like all islanders to know that seasonal influenza vaccine is now available for the 2009-2010 flu season. People of all ages should consider flu vaccination, especially those at the highest risk. Here is a summary of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for seasonal flu vaccine:

• Children ages 6 months through 18 years old;

• Household contacts and care givers of children under five years, and especially of children under six months;

• All persons six months and older with chronic medical conditions and/or immunosuppression;

• Women who will be pregnant during flu season;

•Adults 50 years and older;

• Care givers for residents of nursing homes and related facilities;

• Household contacts of people with medical conditions that place them at higher risk for complications from influenza;

• Health care workers.

State-supplied vaccine will be available for children under 19 years of age and is expected to arrive soon at all island clinics. Children younger than nine years receiving flu vaccine for the first time require a second dose at least four weeks later to be fully protected. All other patients require only one dose of the vaccine, as studies have not demonstrated any benefit from receiving more than one dose during an influenza season, even among elderly persons with weakened immune systems.

Note that vaccine for Swine Flu (H1N1), is not yet available. Further information about Swine Flu vaccine should be available in the next few weeks.

Seasonal flu vaccinations can be given throughout the flu season. See below for locations and times for special seasonal flu vaccine clinics on Orcas Island.

Orcas Family Health Center: Flu vaccine clinics will be held all day Oct. 6, 19, and 26. Call for an appointment, 376-7778. If another time is more convenient, call to schedule. The clinic has both the standard flu shot, as well as the state-supplied vaccine for children.

Children (six months thru 18 years) flu vaccinations can be scheduled as a regular nurse-only appointment or as part of a regular physician visit. (Vaccine without preservatives is available for children six months to 35 months.) Senior Center: OFHC will conduct a flu vaccine clinic on Oct. 13. Additional clinics will be scheduled in November.

Orcas Island Family Medicine: Vaccines can be administered at various times, call 376-4949 for more information. Preservative-free vaccine is available.

Orcas Medical Center: Call 376-2561 for an appointment for one of the flu vaccine clinics or for an individual appointment. Adult flu vaccination clinics will be held on Sept. 23 and Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adult vaccinations can also be scheduled as a regular nurse appointment. Child flu vaccinations can be scheduled as a nurse-only appointment or as part of a regular physician visit. Vaccine without preservatives is available. Senior Center: OMC will conduct an additional flu vaccine clinic for seniors at the Senior Center on Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Treehouse Pediatrics: Call 376-7337 for an appointment. Seasonal flu vaccine is available for individuals aged six months to 21 years. They have regular vaccine, preservative-free vaccine for children under three years, and nasal flu mist for older children.