H1N1 Vaccine Updates and Information

Vaccine Availability
The U.S. government has purchased 250 million doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, so anyone who wants to get the vaccine will have the opportunity to do so. Vaccine will be made available as quickly as possible as it rolls off the production lines, so initially, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities and for those at highest risk from complications from flu. 

Background: Jefferson County Public Health has been distributing its H1N1 vaccine supply as soon as it arrives each week to health providers in the county who pre-registered to administer the vaccine and to healthcare workers with direct patient care. Jefferson County followed state and federal guidelines in making its initial and limited supply of vaccine available to those in the first tier of priority groups. These included: pregnant women, children 6 months to under 5 years of age; children 5-18 years of age with underlying health conditions; and, healthcare workers.

As vaccine became more available and the first tier priority groups were taken care of, JCPH began making vaccine available through various special clinics for those in the expanded priority group listings: people 6 months through 24 years of age; people 25 years through 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions; pregnant women; people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age; and, health care and emergency personnel.

On December 7, 2009 JCPH made decision to open clinics to general public.

>> Jefferson County Scheduled H1N1 Clinics

Vaccine Information
There are two kinds of 2009 H1N1 vaccines being produced:

• The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened viruses that do not cause the flu. The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is being made in the same way as the seasonal nasal spray vaccine and is approved for use in healthy people 2 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.
• A 2009 H1N1 “flu shot” — an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The 2009 H1N1 flu shot is being made in the same way that the seasonal flu shot is made.
• About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus infection will develop in the body.

 

Flu Clinic Resources www.immunizecolorado.com www.colorado.gov/cohealth www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu www.flu.gov www.jeffco.us/health

 

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Last Modified: Jan 8, 2010 04:32 PM