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Iredell Health Department: Flu vaccines behind schedule
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Published: November 18, 2009
The Iredell County Health Department is trying to alleviate people's fears of taking the H1N1 vaccination through their nose.
While more people are familiar with getting vaccinations through injections, the H1N1 vaccine is available through a nasal spray, said county Health Department Health Promotion Coordinator Katherine Land.
This version is a live, weakened form of the virus, which is sprayed into the nose the same way many cold medicines are.
"With the spray, it is weakened to the point where it can't cause illness," Land said. "If you don't like needles, it is a great option."
Health Department Director of Nursing Susan Land said the county had nasal spray vaccinations available in 2008 for the seasonal flu, but there was little demand.
The target groups for the H1N1 vaccine are pregnant women, people who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months old, health care and emergency services personnel, people who are 6 months to 24 years old and 25- to 64-year-olds who are at higher risk for influenza-related complications due to a medical condition.
There are certain groups within the designated clusters who should not take a nasal spray vaccine, Land said. This includes pregnant women, people with long-term health problems, those who are 50 and older and children who are 6 months to 2 years old.
Land said the state has distributed 1.2 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine. A portion of those vaccinations has gone to county health departments, but some physicians and pharmacies have requested it directly from the state.
The R&L called 15 pharmacies in Statesville, and 11 family medicine practices in Iredell to inquire about the availability of the H1N1 vaccinations.
None of the pharmacies that responded to the R&L's inquiry had H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccinations. Three doctors offices had seasonal flu vaccinations and five had H1N1 vaccinations.
Land said pharmaceutical companies are not producing the vaccine at their predicted level at this point.
Local residents should call the Health Department on Turnersburg Highway for appointment availability at (704) 878-5300.
Where to find the vaccine:
H1N1 vaccinations
n Full Circle Family Medicine, 435 E. Statesville Ave., Mooresville
+ Nance Family Medicine, 150 Fairview Road, Suite 210, Mooresville
+ Perry L. Bartelt, 276 Old Mocksville Road, Statesville
+ Troutman Medical Associates, 285 D North Main St., Troutman
+ Troutman Family Medicine, 154 S. Main St., Troutman
Seasonal flu vaccinations
+ Miller Family, 513 Brookdale Drive, Statesville
+ Lake Norman Urgent Care, 125 Days Inn Drive, Mooresville
+ Piedmont HealthCare Family Medicine, 633 Brookdale Drive, Statesville
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