Washington’s flu season is gaining strength earlier than usual, with two flu-related deaths reported in the past week and vaccination demand rising at clinics and pharmacies across the state. The deaths were reported in Thurston and Snohomish counties. Both people were older than 65, according to Thurston County Health Officer Barbra Villona, who described the early increase in cases as unusual. “Over the last seven years, we have never been quite this high” in the share of emergency department visits tied to flu, Villona said. Walgreens data cited in the report put Washington’s flu activity at twice the national average. At Katterman’s Pharmacy in Seattle’s Laurelhurst neighborhood, staff have been administering more than 200 vaccines a day, with pharmacist Beverly Schaefer expecting to give about 400 on Friday as schools were out and more families came in. “We’ve got all hands on deck, and we’ve hired extra staff,” Schaefer said, adding that the pharmacy had an ample vaccine supply. She said older adults and children should be a priority for vaccination, noting that infections can spread among students and then into their households. Dr. Yuan-Po Tu of Optum Washington said the season appears likely to peak earlier than usual, though the timing and duration remain uncertain. “We are in the first two or three innings,” he said. The reports of deaths and the early rise in activity underscore the importance of monitoring local flu trends, particularly for older adults and children, who Schaefer identified as priority groups for vaccination.