VCHD receives limited supply of H1N1 flu vaccine

The Vernon County Health Department has received its first limited supplies of the H1N1 influenza vaccine. In Missouri, allocations to each county are based on population, and the health department expects to receive weekly shipments.

The vaccine which the Health Department has received is the nasal spray which contains a live virus and is used for children and young adults between age 2 and 25, and caretakers under age 50 of infants who are 6 months or less. Everyone who receives the live nasal spray must be healthy and not pregnant.

The Health Department expects to receive other forms of the vaccine in the next few weeks. These other forms will be available for pregnant women, healthcare and emergency services personnel with direct patient contact, and children age 5 through 25 with chronic medical conditions. Eventually the vaccine producers hope to provide enough vaccine for everyone who wants it.

Vernon County Health Department will begin giving the HINI vaccine in the nasal spray form on Monday, Oct. 19. There will be no charge, and no appointment is needed. Persons requesting the vaccine must fall in the priority group of children and young adults between the ages 2 and 25 and caretakers under age 50 of infants who are 6 months or less. Everyone who receives the live nasal spray must be healthy and not pregnant.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services also has implemented the Missouri H1N1 Info Line at (877) 358-4141. The line will be staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by specialists who will answer questions about flu symptoms, when to seek medical care and ways to limit the spread of the flu, including the new vaccine. For more about this service, see the related story on page 11A of today's edition of the Weekend Herald-Tribune.