H1N1 vaccine availability grows

FORT WAYNE, Ind., (WANE) --- - It's not just available for kids and pregnant women anymore. Now, local adults ages 25-64 with chronic conditions like asthma and heart disease can get in line for the H1N1 vaccine.

Health Department officials opened the Carew Medical Clinic to the expanded group on Wednesday from 2:00-6:30 P.M.

Allen County Health Commissioner Dr. Deb MacMahan explains, "Just trying to expand, we're getting a little more vaccine in so we're hoping to get more out there to the community."

Pregnant women, care givers, kids and teens can still get in line too. And clinic officials say there's good news about the lines: they seem to be shrinking.

Reported wait times at Wednesday's clinic ranged from 10-30 minutes.

The clinic at the Carew Medical Park will be re- open Thursday from 1:00 to 6:30 p.m.

More vaccine is expected to arrive in Allen County by the end of the week. Additional clinic hours should be announced then.

The following information was provided by the Allen County Health Department:

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Nov. 4, 2009). – The health department will begin offering the H1N1 vaccine to people 25 through 64 years of age who have chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems.

The department’s H1N1 vaccine clinic at Carew Medical Park is open today from 2 to 6:30 p.m. The clinic will also be open Thursday from 1 to 6:30 p.m.

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health has been following the national H1N1 vaccine prioritization recommendations developed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP has recommended that certain groups receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available because they are at highest risk of having severe illness with the H1N1 virus.

Because early supplies have been very limited, the department has so far reserved the vaccine for pregnant women, caregivers of infants, persons 6 months through 24 years of age, and healthcare workers with direct patient contact. Now adults up through age 64 with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, asthma or diabetes are eligible. No proof or documentation is needed.

Children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, four weeks apart, to be fully protected. Beginning next week, parents will be able to bring their children back to the Carew clinic to get the second dose as long as they have their H1N1 vaccination card. Without the card, a child will not be able to get the second dose at Carew.

If a parent has lost or misplaced the card, the parent will need to request an immunization record by going to the health department’s Immunization Clinic on the 5th floor of the City-County Building during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

More than 10,700 people have been vaccinated for H1N1 flu since the clinic opened on Oct. 9. The vaccine is free. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of influenza should stay home and contact a health care provider. People can also limit the spread of flu by covering their cough and washing their hands.

 

Vaccines available at the Carew Medical Park clinic

Individuals within the following priority groups are currently eligible for H1N1 vaccination:

· pregnant women

· people who live with or care for infants under 6 months of age

· children and young people from 6 months old to 24 years old

· adults age 25 through 64 with chronic health conditions

· health care and emergency medical services personnel

H1N1 vaccine (injectable)

· For pregnant women

· For children 6 months through 18 years of age

· For adults age 25 through 64 with chronic health conditions

· For persons of any age who live with or provide care for infants less than six months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers)

· If a person is ill with a fever, he or she cannot get the vaccine

H1N1 FluMist vaccine (nasal spray)

· For healthy children and young adults 2 to 24 years of age who do not have underlying health conditions

· For persons up to age 49 who live with or provide care for infants less than six months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers)

· No child younger than 2 years of age can get this vaccine

· No adult older than 49 can get this vaccine

· If a person has had any live vaccine such as the MMR, Varicella (chickenpox) or the seasonal flu mist vaccine in the last 28 days, he or she cannot receive the H1N1 FluMist vaccine

Children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, four weeks apart, to be fully protected.

The seasonal flu vaccine is not available at this time.

For more information, go to www.FightTheFlu.org or call 2-1-1.