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H1N1 vaccine is here; pregnant women, infants top list
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Published: October 9, 2009
The H1N1 vaccine is now available in Iredell County.
The Iredell County Health Department has received 700 doses of H1N1 FluMist nasal spray vaccine. Director of Health Education and Emergency Preparedness Scott Lenhart said doses of the vaccine will be first made available to emergency services personnel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends designated groups of individuals receive first priority of the vaccine.
Those groups, in order of priority, include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old, medical personnel, children and people between 6 months and 24 years old and people 25 to 64 years old.
The vaccine, which has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is being shipped in two forms, a nasal spray and an injectable.
Pregnant women and children younger than 2 should request the injectable vaccine, according to the CDC.
In Iredell County, there have been five confirmed cases of H1N1, the flu strain responsible for nearly 3,000 deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
Health departments are the first to distribute the vaccine locally. Pharmacies and health care providers will receive their shipments in the coming weeks, according to the CDC.
The CDC offers the following tips to avoid the spread of flu:
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow;
- Wash your hands frequently;
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose; and
- Stay home if you feel sick.
"Everyday actions actually help reduce the spread of flu,"Lenhart said. "You can't wash your hands enough."
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