Last modified: Monday, November 22, 2004 11:44 AM PST Preparing for the flu MCHD provides shots to eligible people as more vaccine becomes available Larry Meyer - Argus Observer Ontario - Although the list is still limited to those of high risk, the Malheur County Health Department has been busy providing flu shots to eligible people as additional vaccine has become available. "We've been putting people on a waiting list," Penny Walters, health department director said. "We have a huge waiting list," she said. Initially receiving 500 doses of the flu vaccine, of the 1,500 doses, ordered, Walters said her department should get up to about 1,000 doses. Those 500 doses were dispensed through a voucher system, with local doctors giving them to patients they felt were most risk of getting the flu. However, she said there are people who received a voucher from a doctor for a shot who have yet to shown up to the health department. In addition to the vaccine, Walters said the department has several hundred doses of the flu mist for people ages 5 to 49. In addition, the state Department of Human Services released 4,000 doses of vaccine it had in stock, from which Malheur County received 210, Walters said, and those have been given to people on the waiting list, she said. The national Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta is preparing to release a supply of vaccine. Walters said she does not know how much will be coming to Malheur County. Her department, along with local doctors, is now conducting a survey to determine what the need is in Malheur County. Once all figures are compiled, the CDC will send the vaccine to the state and the state will dispense it to the counties based on their surveys. "We should be getting enough vaccine for people who are the highest risk," she said. There have been no confirmed cases of flu, Walters said, but there are viruses going around which are not necessarily the flu. She said flu is characterized by a really quick on set of fever, with other pretty sever symptoms, she said. If a person gets sick they should stay home and stay away from crowds of people, Walters said. The first confirmed case of flu in Oregon, a man in Portland, was reported by the DHS Nov. 15. "The flu has arrived in the Northwest a little earlier than usual this year," Mel Kohn, M.D., state epidemiologist in DHS, said in the state's announcement. "Although we don't have as much vaccine as we would like, it is important that as many people in the high priority groups for vaccination get protected. We urge those in the high priority groups to be patient but persistent in getting vaccinated."