The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) announces that the first shipment of H1N1 intranasal vaccine will be distributed to pediatricians and family practitioners early next week. Because initial supplies of vaccine will initially be in small quantities, the available intranasal spray or injectable vaccine is restricted for use with children ages 6 months to five years of age. The remainder of H1N1 vaccine shipments in the next 8 weeks will be used for pregnant women and all school-age children for use in school-based clinics in grades K to 12. All others will get the vaccine starting in December.
Each provider who is enrolled in the H1N1 Vaccination Program must tell HEALTH how many people they will vaccinate and break down that information by population group. HEALTH will base distribution decisions on this information. Rhode Islanders are asked not to call providers only to ask about H1N1 vaccine availability. Providers and HEALTH will provide updated information to patients as vaccine is delivered.
“Rhode Island’s goal remains to vaccinate as many children and pregnant women first because they are two of the most vulnerable populations and are the main groups getting sick,” said Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. “In total, CDC indicates that Rhode Island is estimated to receive more than 600,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine by the end of flu season; however, in the next eight weeks, the estimated number and types of vaccine to be delivered will only be sufficient to vaccinate children and pregnant women.”
It is expected that school-based clinics will begin the first week in November. In the next two weeks, parents will receive information about H1N1 vaccine clinics in their child’s school. They will also get a consent form that must be completed and returned to the school prior to vaccination. HEALTH reminds all parents that H1N1 vaccination is voluntary.
Vaccinations for the other populations are anticipated to begin in early December. Those groups include healthcare workers and first responders, young adults up to age 24, anyone age 25-64 with an underlying medical condition and household contacts or caregivers of infants younger than six months of age. Elderly (age 65 and older) and healthy adults ages 25 through 64 will be vaccinated in January.
For a list of H1N1 campaigns, see http://www.health.ri.gov/flu/about/vaccination/index.php.