COLUMBIA- The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today that the nasal spray version of the Novel H1N1 vaccine will be made available to all healthy, non-pregnant South Carolinians ages 2 to 49 beginning on Thursday, December 10th.
"This expanded availability only applies to the nasal spray vaccine and not the injectable vaccine," said Jerry Gibson, M.D., chief of DHEC's Bureau of Disease Control. "The supply of the nasal spray or mist has become more plentiful in recent weeks, so we want to make it more widely available."
Dr. Gibson said the manufacturers of the nasal mist, also known as live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), were able to produce large quantities of the vaccine earlier than the injectable vaccine could be produced. As a result, DHEC and many other state health departments around the country received many doses of this product.
"The nasal spray vaccine includes a live virus that has been weakened, and it works just as well and is just as safe as the injectable vaccine," Dr. Gibson said. "In fact, it is often easier to give to younger children and people who do not like shots."
Officials say people ages 2 to 49 with no underlying chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma or pregnancy should get the nasal spray version of the vaccine. Recommended target groups for the injectable version of the H1N1 vaccine remains the same; pregnant women, children 6 months to 18 years, young adults up to age 24 and people ages 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions.
Dr. Gibson recommends conferring with your doctor or healthcare provider about when you should receive the H1N1 vaccine.
"If you are currently not in one of the target groups for this vaccine or are not eligible to receive the nasal spray, be patient as others get immunized," he said. "Everyone who wants the vaccine should be able to receive it this winter, very likely before the next wave of Novel H1N1 flu reaches South Carolina."
For more information, visit the South Carolina Department of Health website.
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