Release Date: October 13, 2009
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
First Shipment of Novel H1N1 Vaccine Distributed
Delivery to local ob-gyn practices will protect pregnant women and health care workers
Metro Health began distributing its first shipment of the novel H1N1 vaccine to local obstetrics-gynecology practices today. The allotment is composed of 500 doses of the live, attenuated nasal mist, which can be administered to most healthy individuals between the ages of 2 and 49 years.
“Due to the limited supply of vaccine received, we decided to target one of the most vulnerable priority groups. The flu virus presents considerable risks to pregnant women. Since they can not receive the nasal mist we are protecting them through the next best option by offering the vaccine to those who provide care to them. Health care workers are also at high risk so this distribution will safeguard two of the priority groups and, consequently, may lower the risks to the unborn babies as well,” said Dr. Fernando Guerra, director of Metro Health.
On October 5, Metro Health received 500 doses of the H1N1 vaccine. The limited supply prevented the department from moving forward with community vaccination efforts in its clinics and other venues, including schools. When the department receives sufficient amounts of both nasal mist and injectable vaccine it will launch those efforts.
For information about the H1N1 virus, local recommendations and guidance, and vaccine questions and answers, click here or call Metro Health’s flu hotline at (210) 207-5779.
