Flu season is hitting hard, but it’s not too late to get immunized. King County Public Health clinics and community health clinics have vaccines available, and many other private locations are providing flu shots now, according to County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert’s office.

In the Snoqualmie Valley, flu vaccines are provided at Snoqualmie Ridge Medical Clinic at 35020 SE Kinsey St., Snoqualmie. No appointment is needed. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Vaccines are also available at the Snoqualmie Valley Hospital Primary Care Clinic during normal business hours.

Unlike a regular cold, the flu comes on suddenly. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, dry cough, headache, dizziness and general body aches. Using good health habits can help prevent spreading the flu to others. Wash your hands frequently, cover your cough and stay home when you’re sick.

Measles alert

Also of concern to public health this winter, health officials are tracking two reported cases of measles in King County in the past week. Exposures to this serious virus could have occurred January 18 at Sea-Tac Airport, or January 23-26 in Klahanie at the QFC and Starbucks. More information about dates and times of potential exposures is available here.

Measles is a highly contagious disease. It is mainly spread through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. Because most people in our area have immunity to the measles through vaccination, the risk to the general public is low.