WORTH COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASE

DATED: 10/29/09

 

Priority groups currently being vaccinated through 11/5

 

-        Pregnant women

-        School based clinics in Northwood (10/27 and 10/29) and Manly (11/2 and 11/5)

 

Previous priority groups already served

 

o      Health Care Providers

o      Emergency Responders

o      Pregnant women

o      Persons that live with or care for an infant younger than 6 months of age

§       Includes all household members of the infant

§       Includes all other children at the daycare of the infant

 

Due to limited vaccine we are not serving the previous priority groups until 11/9/09 so that we will have enough vaccine for the schools.

 

Beginning 11/9/09, based on VACCINE AVAILABILITY, all priority groups can be vaccinated

-        Pregnant women

-        Person that lives with or cares for an infant younger than 6 months of age

-        Health care or emergency medical service personnel

-        6 months – 24 years of age

-        25 – 64 years of age with a chronic health disorder or a compromised immunity system

o      chronic pulmonary (includes asthma)                       ○ renal

o      cardiovascular (except hypertension)                        ○ hepatic

o      neurologic / neuromuscular                           ○ cognitive

o      metabolic (includes diabetes mellitus)          ○ hematologic

o      immunosuppression (includes caused by medications or by HIV)

 

We will vaccinate the above groups beginning 11/9/09, until vaccine is gone. We are receiving small shipments of vaccine weekly. In the coming months there should be enough H1N1 vaccine for all those in these risk groups, and perhaps enough for anyone who wants it.

 

While we empathize with those who want their vaccine now, we are following CDC and IDPH guidelines and are restricted on the vaccines use. They are trying to get it out to those who are being hit the most and the hardest first. Please be patient.

 

Reminder:

o      Children between the ages of 6 months to 9 years old will need a booster of the vaccine not sooner than 28 days apart

o      We will be closed 11/11/09 for Veterans Day

o      Check the Northwood Anchor, Manly Signal, and the Worth County website at www.worthcounty.org for updates on the vaccine availability.