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Swine Flu Vaccine Trickling In
By: WeHo News Staff, WeHo News
West Hollywood, CA - October 6, 2009
Los Angeles public health officials said last week that the first shipments of a nasal form of the H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine should be available midweek. WeHo News.
Those local clinics and doctor’s offices that ordered the FluMist nasal spray vaccine should receive small shipments of as soon early as Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Dr. Jonathon Fielding, the county's director of public health, said in statement released Friday, "While the FluMist nasal spray vaccine may not be appropriate for everyone, we do encourage those who can receive this form of the vaccine to get it.”
Those for whom the nasal vaccination has been deemed inappropriate, or contraindicated, number people with HIV/AIDS, pregnant women, people with severe chronic conditions, immune systems weakened by means other than HIV, or a history of asthma.
Dr. Homayoon Khanlou, MD, Chief of Medicine for local non-profit AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) told WeHo News, “The nasal form is definitely contraindicated for anyone with HIV/AIDS. The intramuscular injections will be available at AHF Clinics later this month, and people who cannot take the nasal version should call their provider now to schedule an appointment.”
Dr. Fielding wanted to reach out to the first-line of eligibility with the announcement. “Those eligible include people ages 2 to 24, healthcare and emergency medical workers and those who live with or care for infants under 6 months old,” it said.
Regular intra muscular shots are on the way and arriving within a few weeks. WeHo News.
"We especially encourage eligible school-aged children to receive the FluMist H1N1 vaccine,” said Dr. Fielding in the statement.
“We had expected to see an increase in flu cases once the school year started, and those predictions have come true. Most cases of the pandemic H1N1 flu continue to present mild to moderate symptoms, but some individuals have had serious complications," he said.
The statement made clear that more vaccinations move through the pipeline. Both the traditional intramuscular injectable form and nasal versions will be more readily available by the end of October.
More information about flu prevention and eligibility for the H1N1 vaccine is at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.
Public health officials plan to begin providing the Swine Flu vaccine to the uninsured and those who do not have a regular healthcare provider through public and free clinics.
- WeHo News
http://wehonews.com/z/wehonews/archive/page.php?articleID=3964
