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The Oregon Department of Human Services has allotted 2,780 more doses of flu vaccine to Douglas County, county officials announced Thursday.In addition, the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians donated 200 doses of flu vaccine to the county's health department Friday, said tribe officials.
The vaccines will be distributed to local physicians' offices and pharmacies around the county.
The Cow Creeks tribal board voted to buy the doses from Cow Creek Health & Wellness Center and make the $1,700 donation to the county.
Dr. Sharon Stanphill, the center's executive director, said they received their shipment of 500 flu shots before the Centers for Disease Control announced the shortage of flu shots and restricted vaccination to high-risk population.
"We have vaccine remaining because we ordered and received our usual amount but only vaccinated our high-risk people," she said in a press release.
Barb Hofford, a nurse with Douglas County Health and Social Services, said the 200 doses will help the county to reach its goal to immunize high-risk population in the area.
"With this vaccine," she said, "we'll take it to areas that haven't been served yet."
Beginning Monday, people can call their health care provider to find more about additional shots.
They can also call the state Flu Hotline at 800-978-3040 to find a clinic in their area.
All shots are still restricted to high-risk groups, including people 65 years old and older, chronic disease patients, health care providers, pregnant women, children 6 months to 23 months old, people who care for nursing home residents, and children 6 months to 18 years old who take aspirin daily.
County health officials said the county has now received a total of 22,127 flu vaccine doses, covering an estimated 75 percent of the high-risk population.
For information on flu vaccines, call 440-3500.
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