In a press conference this morning, Jim McVay, DrPA, announced that county health departments will start administering a limited number of doses of H1N1 influenza vaccine to individuals in targeted high-risk groups beginning Wednesday at locations throughout the state. Statewide the health department has 55,000 doses available at this time.
Vaccine in injectable form will be offered only to pregnant women; children 6 months though 4 years old; parents, siblings and caregivers of children less than 6 months old; children 5 to 18 years old who have underlying medical conditions; and health care workers.
"We must target our limited amounts of vaccine to individuals at the highest risk because of the uncertainties in supply we face," Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer, said. "We ask for your support and understanding at this time. As more vaccine becomes available, our department and other health care providers will begin vaccinating school children and others outside of these target groups."
Alabama and the nation are experiencing significant delays in the amount of H1N1 influenza vaccine received. Vaccine supply is short for both private providers and health departments.
The number of vaccine doses sent to each county health department has been allocated based on population. The public can find clinic dates, times and locations at www.adph.org. Information is also available by calling the health department’s toll-free hotline at 877-377-7285 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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