Commonground
Senior Moderator
Maine CDC/DHHS Update on Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
October 8, 2009
excerpt:
H1N1 Vaccine Arrives in Maine
Approximately 14,800 doses of H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is arriving in Maine this week. We anticipate being able to
order about another 20,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine this week, both injectable and nasal spray. This additional supply
should arrive in Maine early next week, for a total of about 35,000 doses in the state.
We estimate that Maine will receive about 340,000 doses of various formulations of H1N1 vaccine in the next eight
weeks (although this estimate could change). There are approximately 700,000 people in Maine who are in the high
priority groups for receiving vaccine, out of about 1.3 million people total. We will eventually get enough vaccine to be
able to offer it to all Mainers who want it. However, in the meantime, it is important that the vaccine be focused on those
in the highest priority groups. A health advisory on this topic was issued October 7th and can be found at:
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=80502&an=2.
It is important that health care providers who want to have H1N1 vaccine shipped directly to them register as an H1N1
provider and place orders as soon as possible. For more information on how to register, see the section for health care
providers at: www.maineflu.gov.
Caring for Priority Populations
While we anticipate that we will eventually have enough vaccine for everyone, we also need to keep in mind that H1N1
disproportionately affects certain groups of people, and we need to focus on vaccinating these populations first. There are
five priority groups for vaccination. They are: pregnant women; people who live with or provide care for infants aged less
than six months (like parents, siblings, and daycare providers for young infants); children and young adults aged six
months through 24 years; people aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions that put them at higher risk for flurelated
complications; and health care and emergency medical services personnel.
First Doses Focused on Schools and Certain Health Care Providers
An important initial focus will be offering H1N1 vaccine in K-12 schools and residential schools with children and young
adults. This effort will have the most immediate and biggest impact on protecting the health of our children and youth as
well as providing protection for the entire community. Studies show children are the major transmitters of influenza in a
community.
We will also focus on health care workers who have direct contact with patients and infectious material, especially those
who work on inpatient pediatric, maternity, intensive care units, and emergency departments.
Seasonal Flu Vaccine Delay
It appears there will be continued delays in obtaining the pediatric seasonal flu vaccine. Therefore, we recommend that
schools which have not yet received their seasonal flu vaccine supplies start preparing for offering H1N1 vaccine, and not
necessarily wait until both vaccines are available. Very recent information indicates it may be until late November when
all the remaining shipments of our seasonal flu vaccine supply will arrive.
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/maineflu/
October 8, 2009
excerpt:
H1N1 Vaccine Arrives in Maine
Approximately 14,800 doses of H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is arriving in Maine this week. We anticipate being able to
order about another 20,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine this week, both injectable and nasal spray. This additional supply
should arrive in Maine early next week, for a total of about 35,000 doses in the state.
We estimate that Maine will receive about 340,000 doses of various formulations of H1N1 vaccine in the next eight
weeks (although this estimate could change). There are approximately 700,000 people in Maine who are in the high
priority groups for receiving vaccine, out of about 1.3 million people total. We will eventually get enough vaccine to be
able to offer it to all Mainers who want it. However, in the meantime, it is important that the vaccine be focused on those
in the highest priority groups. A health advisory on this topic was issued October 7th and can be found at:
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=80502&an=2.
It is important that health care providers who want to have H1N1 vaccine shipped directly to them register as an H1N1
provider and place orders as soon as possible. For more information on how to register, see the section for health care
providers at: www.maineflu.gov.
Caring for Priority Populations
While we anticipate that we will eventually have enough vaccine for everyone, we also need to keep in mind that H1N1
disproportionately affects certain groups of people, and we need to focus on vaccinating these populations first. There are
five priority groups for vaccination. They are: pregnant women; people who live with or provide care for infants aged less
than six months (like parents, siblings, and daycare providers for young infants); children and young adults aged six
months through 24 years; people aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions that put them at higher risk for flurelated
complications; and health care and emergency medical services personnel.
First Doses Focused on Schools and Certain Health Care Providers
An important initial focus will be offering H1N1 vaccine in K-12 schools and residential schools with children and young
adults. This effort will have the most immediate and biggest impact on protecting the health of our children and youth as
well as providing protection for the entire community. Studies show children are the major transmitters of influenza in a
community.
We will also focus on health care workers who have direct contact with patients and infectious material, especially those
who work on inpatient pediatric, maternity, intensive care units, and emergency departments.
Seasonal Flu Vaccine Delay
It appears there will be continued delays in obtaining the pediatric seasonal flu vaccine. Therefore, we recommend that
schools which have not yet received their seasonal flu vaccine supplies start preparing for offering H1N1 vaccine, and not
necessarily wait until both vaccines are available. Very recent information indicates it may be until late November when
all the remaining shipments of our seasonal flu vaccine supply will arrive.
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/maineflu/