Not too late for flu shots, Utah health officials say

SALT LAKE CITY — Just more than 500,000 Utahns have received H1N1 vaccinations so far. That's about 20 percent of the state's population and means there are more than 2.1 million unvaccinated residents.

This is "Influenza Vaccination Week" in Utah, and with plentiful doses available, Gov. Gary Herbert is encouraging Utahns to get vaccinated because there could still be another outbreak this winter or next spring.

Vaccine is widely available through the state's 12 local health departments, private clinics and large pharmacy chains. Wait times are short, officials said.

(Vaccinations are usually free at health departments and their clinics, but an administration fee can legally be charged. People should check with private providers for fees.)

"While H1N1-related illness has continued to decrease over the past several weeks, we're not out of the woods yet, and it's not too late to get a flu shot," Herbert said. "Right now, complacency is our biggest enemy. It's still critical for Utahns who haven't been vaccinated to do so now."

A trademark of past influenza pandemics has been their tendency to strike in waves, with illness increasing over a number of weeks, decreasing, and increasing again. Utah experienced its first wave in May 2009; a second, stronger wave hit in October and November.

"It's certainly possible that we will experience a third wave of illness later this winter or early in the spring," said Utah Department of Health executive director Dr. David Sundwall. "We need as many people as possible to get the vaccine to reach a level of immunity that could fend off a third wave."

Since late December, clinic lines have been small or nonexistent.

"You can go usually go in and out in 15 minutes," said Pam Davenport, Salt Lake County Health Department spokeswoman. Davis County also had few lines and prompt vaccinations at its two clinics.

By the middle of the week, Utah will have received 1,146,800 doses of the H1N1 vaccine. As of Jan. 2, the most recent date for which data are available, public and private health practitioners had administered approximately 516,594 doses.

Public health officials also want to remind parents that children under the age of 10 need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, given about 28 days apart.

For more information go to www.utahflufighters.org.

Flu clinics

Davis County