MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED H1N1 QUESTIONS Q:I heard there were limited quantities of H1N1 vaccine in our community, where are they?

• Because overall supply is limited nationally, we had to make some hard decisions about how to distribute what little we receive. We have been following the Centers for Disease Control priority groups and sending vaccine to those who can provide the vaccine to them.
• The priority groups are the people most at risk from H1N1 (swine flu). The first shipments went to the local hospitals to protect health care workers. The next groups are people 6 months through 24 years old, and pregnant women. We are currently working with pediatricians, family practice clinics, and OB providers to get this vaccine to their clients.
• Benton-Franklin Health District is like a warehouse at this point. We receive the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine from the state and send it to others to give to people. We do not have H1N1 vaccine available at the Health District at this time. As we receive more vaccine, more will be available from other providers.

Q: When will more vaccine be available?

• Each week the amount the Health District receives has varied from a few hundred to a few thousand doses.
• Right now there is not enough vaccine for all the health care providers and pharmacies that want it.
• We know more vaccine will come on a weekly basis, but we don’t know when we will have enough to meet all of the need. We will update our web page as the vaccine status changes.

Q: I’m pregnant, where can I get H1N1 vaccine?

• Check with your OB provider to see if they are planning to provide H1N1 vaccine to their patients.
• OB providers should begin receiving H1N1 vaccine during the week of October 26. Where can I get the H1N1 vaccine for my child?
• Check with your child’s health care provider.
• Some pediatricians and family practice physicians began to receive vaccine already; however, the quantity is limited.
• More vaccine will be available on a week to week basis, but the amount is unpredictable.

Q: I was told to go to the Health District for my H1N1 shot. Why don’t you have it?

• With the limited amount of vaccine coming to our community the decision was made to give all the vaccine to the health care providers for their staff and high risk patients.
• As more vaccine is produced, we will have more in the community and hope to have it available at Benton-Franklin Health District.

Q: Then why doesn’t my doctor have it yet?

• Every health care provider who requests vaccine will receive it at some point. We cannot predict exactly when this will happen.
• Because the amount of vaccine available for our community is very small at this point, there isn’t enough vaccine for everyone who wants it yet.
• The first doses are being given to hospitals for their acute care staff and to health care providers for the highest risk patients.

Q: I called my doctor and they told me they weren’t going to have any H1N1 vaccine. Why?

• Not every health care provider is choosing to offer H1N1 vaccine to their clients.
• Access to this vaccine has been offered to all health care providers in Washington State.
• H1N1 vaccine will be available from pharmacies and the Health District once we have enough supply.

Q: I heard that some other health departments have been conducting clinics in the community. Why hasn’t Benton Franklin Health District done this?

• Each local health department makes decisions as to how their community will access H1N1 vaccine.
• Benton Franklin Health District decided the private health care providers should receive the vaccine first before any immunization clinics are offered through the Health District.
• The private health care providers know who their highest risk clients are and can get the vaccine into those patients much easier than we can.
• Once ample supplies of vaccine are available the Health District will offer vaccinations. We will publish information regarding Health District sponsored clinics on our web site.

Q: I don’t have a doctor, where can I get a shot?

• As soon as larger amounts of vaccine arrive in our community many local pharmacies will begin to offer the vaccine.
• We hope to publish a list of these pharmacies when this information becomes available.

Q: Where are your offices?
A: We now have 3 offices.
Kennewick 7102 W Okanogan Pl,
Pasco 412 W Clark, and
Prosser 310 7th Ave E

Q: When are you open?
A: Our hours are listed on each page of the website just under the main menu. Some services are not available during all hours, please call 460 4200 for more information

Q: How do I get a Food Handler’s Card?
A: Food Handler Card Classes are held Wednesdays and Thursdays at 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Call (509) 460-4205 to make an appointment for the class.