There is finally plenty of vaccine for the pandemic H1N1 flu in Wallowa County and throughout Oregon.

“We have vaccine for anybody and everyone who wants it. Come on in,” said R.N. Janie McArtor, communicable disease nurse at the Wallowa County Health Department. “We have 400 doses sitting in our refrigerator right now.”

Vaccine availability was expanded from high risk priority groups to the general public throughout Oregon Monday, Dec. 14.

The county began receiving a limited supply of H1N1 vaccine in October, when numerous cases were reported throughout the county, though only hospitalized patients were tested.

In the end, there were only five cases of swine flu confirmed for the county, because the state health lab was overwhelmed, even though only hospitalized patients were tested. According to McArtor, “if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck,” it was decided that an official confirmation from the state lab wasn’t necessary to treat the many local flu patients.

McArtor said that as the H1N1 vaccine started becoming more available in the last few weeks the health department contacted those on the priority group that hadn’t been able to get the shot before. She said that it was evident that availability would soon open up to the general public, and the health department staff – which doesn’t work on Friday – got the word first thing Monday morning.

There is only a limited amount of nasal spray, which had been used in clinics in the schools, available in the local health department, however, and McArtor said that those doses are being reserved for those under 18.

The health nurse said that one side effect of the pent-up demand for the scarce swine flu vaccine is that more county residents than usual have already received inoculations for the regular seasonal flu. Out of 800 doses initially available, there are only 30 left, whereas last year “a lot” of vaccine was disposed of unused. “We have very good coverage this year,” McArtor said, adding that the department probably won’t be getting any more of the regular flu vaccine, so stragglers are advised to get their shots soon.

The county health department is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; call 426-4848 for more information.

“We have been hearing for some time that people outside the federally guided target group are very interested in getting vaccinated,” says Mel Kohn, M.D., director of Oregon Public Health Division, in a statement Friday, Dec. 11. “We’ve received a substantial amount of vaccine, and more is flowing into Oregon at a brisk pace, so it makes sense to open up it up to all.”

State health officials said that while cases of H1N1 flu have dropped off over the past few weeks, there is a good possibility that additional waves of illness may occur over the next few months. They continue to urge people to get vaccinated to prevent problems later this winter.

More information on the flu pandemic and a vaccine locator are available on Oregon Public Health’s Web site, (www.flu.oregon.gov). Those with flu-related questions, such as how to care for someone who has the flu or when to see a health care provider, also can get their questions answered by a nurse at the state’s flu hotline, 1-800-978-3040.