October 25, 2009 - 5:35pm
Washtenaw County has received swine flu vaccine shipment
BY JENNA SKOLLER
The Washtenaw Country Public Health Department received an initial shipment of the H1N1 vaccine, according to a press release from the department. The allotment includes flu shots and the 'FluMist' nasal spray.
The initial allotment is limited, but shipments are expected to keep coming in each week. It’s expected that there will be enough of the vaccine for high priority groups to take before the end of the month.
According to the press release, these priority groups include:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or provide care for infants younger than months
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel
• People six months through 24 years of age and
• People 25 years through 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications (i.e., cancer, chronic conditions like diabetes, weakened immune systems or other disorders)
The press release encourages any Washtenaw County residents who feel they fall within these high-risk groups to first contact their personal health care providers to see if they are providing the vaccination. The vaccinations are free of charge.
Though supplies are limited, Washtenaw County Public Health officials say they don’t expect a shortage of the vaccination.
The majority of diagnosed H1N1 cases in Washtenaw County have been among children and young adults. Though there have been some hospitalizations, there have been no deaths in the county to date.
Mass vaccinations at Washtenaw County public schools are scheduled to begin the first week of November. More information is available at publichealth.ewashtenaw.org.
