Supplies of H1N1 flu vaccine now available to local target groups

The Chatham County Health Department tells us today it's now offering the H1N1 flu vaccine to all five target groups as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A news advisory says those groups are:

1) Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;

2) Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus.

3) Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity.

4) All people from 6 months through 24 years of age Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread.

5) Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

The health department says the vaccine will be given on a first come, first served basis from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Chatham County Health Department. (Two locations: 1395 Eisenhower Drive and 1602 Drayton Street.)

Health officials also made the following point in thier news advisory: "Please note that those 65+ are not in the CDC's target groups for vaccination against H1N1. The reason for that is that those 65 and older are not showing high rates of infection from the H1N1flu and studies have indicated that the elderly already have some immunity against the virus. Once supply of the vaccine has improved and all priority population vaccination needs are met, then vaccination efforts will be expanded to include non-priority groups, such as the elderly."