H1N1 Vaccine To Be Available In So. Nevada

LAS VEGAS – The Nevada State Health Division announced last week that it has ordered approximately 28,000 doses of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza vaccine. The Southern Nevada Health District has been advised that it can expect to receive approximately 20,000 doses; however, a delivery date is yet to be confirmed. The initial delivery will consist of the inhaled vaccine, which is approved for limited members of the H1N1 vaccine priority groups.

Due to the limited number of doses expected, the health district will first offer the inhaled version of the vaccine to health care workers and EMTs who meet the approved guidelines to receive the inhaled vaccine. These are members of the initial priority groups designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to receive H1N1 vaccine first. The inhaled vaccine is approved for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49. It is not approved for pregnant women or children and adults who have underlying medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes.

“We are working closely with our emergency medical response agencies and the hospitals to identify staff who are eligible to receive the inhaled vaccine,” said Dr. Lawrence Sands, the health district’s chief health officer. “EMTs and health care workers who have direct patient contact can be a first line of defense against the spread of any influenza strain because they may have close contact with people who are at risk of complications from influenza.”

According to the CDC, additional doses of the vaccine will be shipped to state health divisions, local health authorities, and health care providers on a weekly basis. It is expected that although there will be limited doses available initially, the supply is expected to grow over the coming months and will eventually be enough to accommodate everyone who wants to receive the vaccine.

“It could take a month or more for the vaccine supply to become sufficient to meet the needs of our community and be readily available through a majority of providers in Southern Nevada,” said Sands. “Until we have an adequate supply of vaccine in our community, we are asking for the public’s patience as we get the vaccine out to the people who are among the priority groups identified by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.”

The 2009 H1N1 Influenza vaccine priority groups include: . Pregnant women because there is a higher risk of complications and immunization can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.

. Household contacts and caregivers 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;