High-volume vaccination clinics at Vashon Pharmacy, supported by VashonBePrepared and MRC ended last week, after having given approximately 1,900 doses of COVID and 1,900 doses of influenza (flu) vaccines to island residents. While volunteers will no longer be helping, pharmacy staff will continue giving vaccinations. So it’s not too late to get protected – here are three good reasons to do it soon!

1) COVID and flu vaccines are effective. Vaccine effectiveness studies measure real-world prevention of severe disease leading to hospitalization or death. Each year, COVID and flu vaccines are updated to better match circulating strains. Dr. Jim Bristow of Vashon Medical Reserve Corps pointed out that, “according to a New England Journal of Medicine review of 511 peer-reviewed studies, COVID vaccine effectiveness so far against severe COVID disease has averaged about 50%; however, the authors noted that last year’s vaccine was 68% effective against hospitalization. Available evidence suggests that COVID vaccination of children reduces long COVID risk by 50-70%. Flu vaccine effectiveness is also variable, but has averaged 40-50% effective in preventing severe disease.” While not perfect, these vaccines continue to be the best way to reduce the risk of serious illness from COVID and flu viruses. (Read the NEJM review at tinyurl.com/NEJM-vax.)

2) COVID and flu vaccines are safe. Vaccines are drugs, and as such they do have risks. In addition to large randomized trials with long term follow-up, the CDC maintains a reporting system for adverse vaccine events (VAERS). Apart from local reactions at the injection site, the most common side effect of COVID and flu vaccines are flu-like symptoms that generally last less than 24 hours. Anaphylaxis is a rare but serious allergic reaction that may occur within minutes after a vaccination. It occurs in about five cases per million doses of COVID vaccine, and one case per million doses of flu vaccine. For COVID vaccines, there is a risk of inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) in adolescent boys, at one to three cases per 150,000 doses. But COVID-19 disease also causes myocarditis, and it is both more severe and less likely to resolve completely than vaccine-associated myocarditis. Neither vaccine poses a risk to pregnant women or their babies.

3) They’re free at Vashon Pharmacy and many clinics. Most health insurance plans cover annual COVID and flu vaccination without a co-pay. This year, a grant from the Vashon Healthcare District, along with gifts from generous donors that are being matched by Vashon Pharmacy, will cover all out-of-pocket costs for COVID and flu vaccinations for islanders, regardless of insurance status.

A final reminder- it takes two to four weeks to develop immunity, so vaccination now will provide protection for the holidays.

Paralytic shellfish poison found at unsafe levels

Paralytic shellfish poison (PSP) has been detected at unsafe levels on Vashon-Maury Island’s Quartermaster Harbor beaches. As a result, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed these shores to recreational shellfish harvest. Working with partners, Public Health – Seattle & King County is posting advisory signs at beaches warning people to not collect shellfish.

This announcement applies only to recreational shellfish. Commercial shellfish harvesting sites are monitored and regulated separately. Commercial shellfish harvesters should check the advisory status on DOH’s Commercial Shellfish Map Viewer.

Species of shellfish affected

The closure includes all species of shellfish including clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters, snails and other invertebrates; the closure does not include crab or shrimp. Crabmeat is not known to contain the PSP toxin, but the guts can contain unsafe levels. To be safe, clean crab thoroughly and discard the guts (“butter”).

What’s the risk?

Anyone who eats PSP-contaminated shellfish is at risk for illness and death. PSP poisoning is caused by eating shellfish containing this potent neurotoxin. A naturally occurring marine organism produces the toxin. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing.

A person cannot determine if PSP toxin is present by visual inspection of the water or shellfish. For this reason, the term “red tide” is misleading and inaccurate. PSP can only be detected by laboratory testing.

Symptoms of PSP

Symptoms of PSP usually begin 30-60 minutes after eating the contaminated shellfish but may take several hours. Symptoms are generally mild, and begin with numbness or tingling of the face, arms, and legs. This is followed by headache, dizziness, nausea, and loss of muscle coordination. Sometimes a floating sensation occurs. In cases of severe poisoning, muscle paralysis and respiratory failure occur, and in these cases, death may occur in 2 to 25 hours.

If symptoms are mild, call your health care provider or Washington Poison Center (800-222-1222), and Public Health (206-296-4774). If symptoms are severe, call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room immediately.

Always check before harvesting shellfish

Recreational shellfish harvesting can be closed at any time for multiple reasons, including rising levels of PSP or pollution. Therefore, harvesters are advised to call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 or visit DOH’s shellfish safety website before harvesting shellfish anywhere in Puget Sound.

The number of options for on-island medical care has doubled over the last two years. Although many of us still need to hop on a ferry to access specialist care, and our small-town population can’t support a community hospital, the number of options for you to get on-island medical care is at a historical high level. The following information updates you on those medical care options and also provides a chart that boils down all the options into five easy-to-use columns.

Emergency: If in Doubt, Call 911
If you aren’t quite sure a situation is an emergency, don’t hesitate. Just call 911. It is better to be safe and call than to regret a delay. First responders would rather get there in time to save a life than arrive too late.

The 911 operator will help you figure things out in a hurry. When you call 911, be prepared with the location of the emergency, including the street address. The phone number you are calling from. The nature of the emergency.

In-Home Care
This has been a significant improvement to on-island medical care. We now have two in-home care providers on the island — no ferry ride required. They come right to your home, making house calls like the island’s old-time country doctors, except with vehicles full of high-tech equipment.

The scope of practice and hours differ for each service. For details, you will want to check out their websites and the five-column guide from Vashon Health Care District included in this issue of the newsletter.

Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) from Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) provides in-home nurse care three days a week. MIH staff also includes a social worker who makes home visits. MIH plans to add a nurse practitioner or physician assistant in June to expand its scope of practice. Services are taxpayer-funded at no cost to the patient. vifr.org/mih/

Dispatch Health provides mobile urgent care under contract with the Vashon Health Care District (VHCD). It operates seven days a week, including all holidays. Services are covered by most insurance providers, and additional insurers are being added. tinyurl.com/VashonDispatchHealth

Clinical Care
For decades, the island’s two primary care clinics have been the entry point for basic medical care on Vashon. They continue to provide these services.

Sea Mar clinic at Sunrise Ridge offers primary care services weekdays. The Vashon clinic is part of the multi-location Sea Mar Community Health Centers organization. A new clinic is under construction in Vashon town center. tinyurl.com/SeaMarVashon

Vashon Natural Medicine (VNM) offers primary care services on weekdays. They include naturopathic care in their scope of practice. vashonnaturalmed.com/

Vashon Pharmacy has expanded its offerings to include clinical care such as management of chronic conditions and treatment of uncomplicated acute conditions, in addition to its traditional vaccination and medicine-dispensing services. vashonpharmacy.com/

Cheat Sheet for On-Island Medical Care: This helpful summary table provides valuable details for each of the options for no-ferry-required medical care. The number of options, as described above, has roughly doubled in the last couple of years. vashonhealthcare.org/resources/

Click on the following link to view the chart:

2025-05-15_5-Part Care Continuum

I frequently get questions about PSE projects on Vashon, so I worked with our communications staff to develop the document “PSE on Vashon Island: Current Vashon Island Distribution Projects”.
The document is on our website here: PSE Projects Map page (Navigate to Vashon on the map and zoom in.  Click on the little “red symbol” and text box will pop up and you can click on “link to project page”).

I am sharing directly with the islanders that I have worked with for awareness.

Karen M. Brubeck
Community Affairs Manager
PUGET SOUND ENERGY

Both Puget Sound Energy and The Washington State Ferries are predicting challenges with today’s pending storm. Delays, cancelations, and power outages are expected.

PSE has shared the below reminders and tips:

Storm Preparation Tips:

• Download the myPSE app to track and report outages, check status and get estimated restoration times, or visit pse.com/outagemap.

• Make sure to have emergency supplies on hand at home and in your vehicle, such as extra batteries, flashlights, and food.

• Charge cell phones, laptops, and other devices in case the power goes out.

• Avoid opening and closing refrigerators and freezers more often than necessary.

• A closed refrigerator will stay cold for up to 12 hours.

• Turn off lights and unplug all appliances and/or sensitive electronic equipment, such as computers, to prevent an overload on your circuits when electric service is restored.

• Leave one light on to let you know when service returns.

Storm Safety Tips:

• Never touch downed power lines because they might be energized.

• Stay at least 35 feet away from any downed line and call PSE at 1-888-225-5773 or 911 to report problems.

• Do not use a charcoal or gas grill to cook indoors.

• Never use a natural gas range for heating or charcoal as an indoor heating source. This can cause a buildup of poisonous carbon monoxide gas.

• If you choose to use a portable home generator, read the manufacturer’s instructions for the safe operation of the generator.

• Do not operate generators indoors or in enclosed spaces to avoid the build-up of carbon monoxide.

• If you’re using portable heaters, keep them away from furniture, draperies, and other flammable materials.

• Always use flashlights instead of candles.

Report and Track Outages:

• Online outage reporting: pse.com/outage

• Outage map: pse.com/outagemap

• myPSE mobile app: pse.com/app

• For general outage information, see:  pse.com/advisories