By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-10-27 09:21:52 | Word Count: 857
The first doses of H1N1 vaccine have arrived in northeast Colorado, but supplies are very limited at this time.
“We have received our first doses of H1N1 vaccine, but the amount we received was very small, and the type we received was the nasal spray vaccine which is only available to certain individuals,” said Trish McClain, director of client health services for the Northeast Colorado Health Department. “For the first few weeks, our shipments of H1N1 vaccine will be less than originally anticipated, but we expect that to change as we head into November and December. As we receive vaccine every week, we divide it among each of our health department offices, as well as 33 private providers throughout our six counties that signed up to be a distributor of the vaccine. This helps us ensure that the vaccine is available through a variety of providers in multiple locations.”
According to McClain, NCHD is following the federal and state vaccine guidelines in offering the first doses to those populations most at risk for developing severe illness from influenza. Those groups include:
• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
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• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• Children 6 months through 4 years of age, and
• Children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.
As vaccine supplies increase, vaccinations will be opened up to select target groups which include all of the above priority groups as well as all children age six months to 24 years, all healthcare and EMS personnel and adults 25 to 64 years of age with chronic health conditions. McClain said estimates at the state level indicate there may be enough vaccine for everyone that wants one by December or January.
Nasal spray vaccine, which is the only vaccine that is currently available, is only approved for healthy persons age two through 49 since it is a weakened live virus, rather than the killed virus that makes up the traditional injectable vaccine. Due to the small number of doses received this week, those doses will only be made available to the individuals that can take the nasal spray vaccine that also fall into one of the priority groups above. McClain said that other types of vaccine, including regular injectable vaccine as well as pediatric vaccine should be arriving in northeast Colorado within the next few weeks.
Following guidelines from the federal government, public health is allowed to bill insurance for administration of the H1N1 vaccine but cannot charge an individual to receive it, whereas private providers do have an option of charging or billing insurance for an administration fee. NCHD has chosen to offer the vaccinations free to everyone and will not be billing insurance.
NCHD will be offering vaccinations to those that call in and make an appointment as appropriate vaccine types are available. Due to the unpredictable factors in the amounts and types of vaccine we’re receiving, the agency will be unable to add names to a waiting list, but does encourage individuals to check with their private healthcare providers as a source for H1N1 vaccinations as well.
“Unfortunately this is not one of those instances where you can plan ahead and schedule your H1N1 vaccination a couple of weeks out,” said McClain. “Because of the way we’re receiving vaccine and the different types we’re receiving, we will be working closely with our private providers and adjusting our efforts week-by-week, offering what we have when we have it to the appropriate people. We are asking for a lot of patience and understanding as we move through the fall and winter months.”
McClain recommend that individuals that fall into any of the priority or target groups for H1N1 vaccination contact either their local healthcare provider or their local public health agency to inquire about vaccine availability, and to watch the local media for information.
“In the meantime, stay home if you’re ill, cover your cough, wash your hands, and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth,” said McClain.
