BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- More swine flu vaccination clinics have been scheduled in Whatcom County, but not for seniors – which is okay according to Washington’s top health official.
“This new flu – H1N1, or known as swine flu – is really a young person’s disease,” said state Secretary of Health Mary Selecky.
“I’m 62 years old. I’m going to wait, because young people, pregnant moms, should get the vaccine first.”
Research shows healthy people born before 1957 are being hit much less often and not as hard by the new virus as younger people, so they’re being asked to wait until vaccine is more widely available, said Selecky.
“It seems like those of us born before 1957 have some kind of immunity in our system,” she said.
You can sign up this week for clinics taking place in Ferndale and Lynden, next Monday and Tuesday.
If you’re in a high-risk group you can register for the vaccinations online starting at 10 a.m. Thursday.
Go to the Whatcom Pandemic Joint Information website at www.em.whatcomcounty.org.
You can also call between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The number is (360) 778-8170.
Space is limited and appointments will be accepted until all slots are filled.
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