PORTLAND, Ore. -- Regional health authorities, county clinics and hospitals prepared Tuesday to dispense at least 2,000 doses of a nasal spray that vaccinates against the deadly H1N1 swine flu, the state reported.
The vaccine, only recently approved by the FDA, began arriving in Oregon on Monday. Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington county health departments each expected several thousand doses to be dispensed, with thousands more on the way in coming weeks.
Initial doses will be used to inoculate people considered especially vulnerable or high-risk transmitters -- health care workers, young children and people with compromised immune systems.
They were to be dispensed at primary care clinics in spray form. The nasal spray is not approved for pregnant women or infants.
Oregonians who want to be vaccinated should see their family doctor, visit a local pharmacy or stop by a mobile clinic, many of which have been set up at neighborhood schools.
Each county health department is working with local school districts to establish the mobile clinics.
Oregon public health officials say there will be enough vaccine for everyone, but it will take time to distribute it.
"Over the course of the flu season, we are expecting to have a large enough supply to vaccinate everyone with the H1N1 vaccine," said Dr. Mel Kohn, Oregon Public Health Director.
Healthy residents were encouraged to remain proactive against the flu by practicing thorough hand-washing.
The state recommends at least 30 seconds of scrubbing from the wrist to underneath finger nails.
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