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General population to wait months for H1N1 vaccine
Reported by: Jennifer Hale, Reporter
Last Update: 6:57 pm
Baton Rouge - The World Health Organization now says the globe is facing a swine flu pandemic.
Here in Louisiana, the vaccine is expected to begin arriving next month, but in smaller quantities than doctors were planning on.
Friday in Baton Rouge, the Department of Health and Hospitals laid out strict guidelines for who qualifies for the vaccine and what they need to do to receive it.
When that initial batch of swine flu vaccine arrives, only a limited number of doctors and pharmacists will be allowed to give it - and only a small percentage of people will be allowed to receive it.
The general population will likely need to wait until around February to be vaccinated.
Scientists cultivating the swine flu vaccine have hit a snag: the virus isn't reproducing for them as quickly as expected. That means there will be less vaccine available than initially thought.
The first batch expected in late October will provide about 45 million doses.
After that, scientists estimate they'll be able to produce another 20 million doses per month.
At risk people - pregnant women, young children, first responders and those with pre-existing medical conditions will get it first.
"We can only go as fast as we can make it. I wish we had it now, but we don't. It takes time," says Dr. Jimmy Guidry.
Researchers aren't sure if people will need one dose of swine flu vaccine or two.
If just one is needed, the general public could get the vaccine sooner. If two doses are required, some people could be waiting past February.
"I certainly don't want to panic the public. We can't make the vaccine any faster and we want to make sure its safe when we give it," says Guidry.
Attorneys are still trying to figure out how to make sure only truly at risk people get treated first. HIPPA rules and doctor/patient confidentiality make it tough.
One strategy - doctors and pharmacists will have to be certified before they're allowed to give the vaccine. That training will include identifying who qualifies for the vaccine.
As for patients, in order to receive the vaccine, you must allow your information to be tracked through a computer database. Health care leaders are trying to keep a record of who's getting the swine flu vaccine and when.
Guidry says he knows people are afraid.
"Even if you do everything, you could still die ? that?s what scares people no matter what you do. Well, that's also true about the seasonal flu every year."
Guidry says swine flu still isn't as deadly as the seasonal flu.
The federal government is paying for the vaccines. So once it's your turn - the vaccine will be free...unless your doctor charges for the office visit.
The state is planning to give the vaccines in schools and daycares in addition to doctor?s offices and pharmacies.
Don't forget - you can get the seasonal flu shot right now.
http://www.projectnola.com/the-news...al-population-to-wait-months-for-h1n1-vaccine
Reported by: Jennifer Hale, Reporter
Last Update: 6:57 pm
Baton Rouge - The World Health Organization now says the globe is facing a swine flu pandemic.
Here in Louisiana, the vaccine is expected to begin arriving next month, but in smaller quantities than doctors were planning on.
Friday in Baton Rouge, the Department of Health and Hospitals laid out strict guidelines for who qualifies for the vaccine and what they need to do to receive it.
When that initial batch of swine flu vaccine arrives, only a limited number of doctors and pharmacists will be allowed to give it - and only a small percentage of people will be allowed to receive it.
The general population will likely need to wait until around February to be vaccinated.
Scientists cultivating the swine flu vaccine have hit a snag: the virus isn't reproducing for them as quickly as expected. That means there will be less vaccine available than initially thought.
The first batch expected in late October will provide about 45 million doses.
After that, scientists estimate they'll be able to produce another 20 million doses per month.
At risk people - pregnant women, young children, first responders and those with pre-existing medical conditions will get it first.
"We can only go as fast as we can make it. I wish we had it now, but we don't. It takes time," says Dr. Jimmy Guidry.
Researchers aren't sure if people will need one dose of swine flu vaccine or two.
If just one is needed, the general public could get the vaccine sooner. If two doses are required, some people could be waiting past February.
"I certainly don't want to panic the public. We can't make the vaccine any faster and we want to make sure its safe when we give it," says Guidry.
Attorneys are still trying to figure out how to make sure only truly at risk people get treated first. HIPPA rules and doctor/patient confidentiality make it tough.
One strategy - doctors and pharmacists will have to be certified before they're allowed to give the vaccine. That training will include identifying who qualifies for the vaccine.
As for patients, in order to receive the vaccine, you must allow your information to be tracked through a computer database. Health care leaders are trying to keep a record of who's getting the swine flu vaccine and when.
Guidry says he knows people are afraid.
"Even if you do everything, you could still die ? that?s what scares people no matter what you do. Well, that's also true about the seasonal flu every year."
Guidry says swine flu still isn't as deadly as the seasonal flu.
The federal government is paying for the vaccines. So once it's your turn - the vaccine will be free...unless your doctor charges for the office visit.
The state is planning to give the vaccines in schools and daycares in addition to doctor?s offices and pharmacies.
Don't forget - you can get the seasonal flu shot right now.
http://www.projectnola.com/the-news...al-population-to-wait-months-for-h1n1-vaccine
