ANCHORAGE — The State of Alaska, Department of Health and Social Services, Section of Epidemiology is encouraging providers and organizations that want to offer flu vaccinations to adult clients, employees, staff, volunteers, patients, customers, members, or others to take advantage of the available free flu vaccine offer prior to National Influenza Vaccination Week.

National Influenza Vaccination Week, Dec. 4-10, 2011, is a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of influenza vaccination for the holiday season, into January, and beyond.

Approximately 8,500 doses are still available of the 20,000 that the state received.

“Alaska’s flu season usually peaks after January, so it’s still an excellent time to take advantage of this free vaccine,” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, chief of the Alaska Section of Epidemiology, Department of Health and Social Services. “This is a unique opportunity for organizations to give the gift of health to their employees.”

The vaccine is licensed for use in adults ages 18 through 64.

Providers or organizations requesting vaccine must fill out an order form available at:https://www.epi.alaska.gov/id/iz/FREEAdultFluVaccineOrderForm.pdf and fax it to the number provided. Providers may not charge for the vaccine itself, only for administration of the vaccine should they wish to do so.

Anchorage locations receiving vaccine will be able to pick up their supply from the state’s vaccine Depot in Anchorage. The state will ship vaccine to locations outside the Anchorage area.

Interested individuals or organizations should contact the Section of Epidemiology at 907-269-8622 as soon as possible before supplies run out.