Health Department receives limited shipment of H1N1 vaccine

From press release

Winnebago County Health Department received its first, limited shipment of H1N1 vaccine Friday, Oct. 16. The shipment included 500 doses of the H1N1 injectable vaccine and 1,500 doses of the nasal spray (Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine—LAIV).

Clinics have been scheduled for health care workers and first responders starting Tuesday, Oct. 20. These health care workers and first responders are already being exposed to ill people in clinical settings, and is vitally important they be able to keep providing services during the H1N1 outbreak. The Health Department will also offer the vaccine to pregnant women and infants who are current WIC and Family Case Management Service clients (during scheduled appointments) starting the week of Oct. 19.

Initially, the vaccine will come in small quantities, weekly. As the vaccine arrives, the Health Department will begin the planned vaccination program for children in Winnebago County schools and daycares. Plans for community vaccination clinics for others who are at risk of complications from the flu will be conducted to supplement school vaccinations. People in the initial target group include: pregnant women; people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age; healthcare and emergency medical services personnel; people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age; and people aged 25 through 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

Mike Bacon, public health director, said: “Again, we ask members of our community who want to receive this vaccine to be patient as this program begins. There will be enough vaccine for all who wish to receive it, but initially we must protect those who are at greatest risk.”

The nasal spray (LAIV) vaccine is for healthy, non-pregnant people between the ages of 2-49 years, including healthy, non-pregnant health care workers who do not work with severely immunocompromised people.

The Health Department will offer the H1N1 vaccinations free of charge. For more information about H1N1, visit the Health Department’s Web site at www.wchd.org, or call the Health Department at (815) 720-4000.

From the October 21-27, 2009 issue