Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Oct 12, 2009 2:35 pm US/Eastern
Miami-Dade Receives First H1N1 Vaccine Shipment
Florida To Receive More Than 102,000 FluMist Nasal Spray Vaccines
Lisa Cilli
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The Miami-Dade Health Department has received its first shipment of the H1N1 vaccine but don't go running to wait in line. It's described as a "limited initial shipment", according to Olga Connor from the Miami-Dade County Health Department, who wouldn't reveal exactly how many doses were included in the first shipment.
In addition, the initial shipment includes only the FluMist nasal spray vaccine and not the injectable version.
The H1N1 Swine flu is widespread throughout the state and school children have been among those hardest hit.
During a statewide telephone news conference last week, Florida Surgeon General Ana Viomonte Ros said the state will receive a total of more than 102,000 doses of the FluMist nasal spray in its initial shipment.
The FluMist nasal spray immunizations will be given by public health clinics and private physicians. Exact details are currently being worked out and complete information will be provided by the Miami-Dade Health Department on Friday, October 16th, two days before vaccinations are scheduled to begin in South Florida.
The FluMist nasal spray, which is different than the injectable vaccine, is recommended only for children and adults between the ages of 2-49 who are NOT pregnant and have no underlying medical conditions; and healthy persons who live with or care for those in a high risk group.
The FluMist nasal spray is NOT recommended for infants under 2, adults over 49, pregnant women or anyone with a range of underlying health conditions.
The FluMist vaccine, which has the live but weakened virus in it, comes in single-doses and does NOT contain thimerosal or other preservatives. The vaccine virus is attenuated (weakened) so it will not cause illness, according to the CDC.
The state hasn't yet ordered its share of the injectable vaccine. When it does, Florida will receive 6-percent of the national total, according to Viamonte Ros.
There is a "priority" group of individuals who should receive the injectable vaccine. That "priority" group includes:
Pregnant women
Persons who live with or provide care for infants under 6-months
Health care and emergency medical services personnel
Persons aged 6-months to 24-years old
Persons aged 25 to 64-years-old who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu-related complications
The injectable vaccine is inactivated (which means the vaccine has killed virus in it). The multi-dose version contains thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used to keep it free from germs. The single-dose units does not contain thimerosal.
Every Florida County has its own vaccine distribution plan. More than 3,000 private physicians have been approved to distribute the vaccine.
The Florida Department of Health has a "Flu Clinic Locations" web page at www.myflusafety.com which will provide information about public health sponsored vaccination clinics within each county.
People can also call the state hotline for information at 1-877-352-3581.
Florida is expected to receive 11 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine by January of 2010 and a vaccine shortage is not expected. Once the demand for vaccine for all priority groups has been met, providers will begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64-years old.
The federal government has also unveiled a one-stop resource for flu information at www.flu.gov.
The Web site features a new H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation guide for adults 18 and older along with a new Flu Myths and Facts section, which provides the public with the latest and most accurate information about the flu. The H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation guide will give individuals 18 and older more information about what they can do to take care of themselves, prevent the spread of the flu to other members of their families, and identify the warning signs of more serious flu symptoms -- symptoms that require the attention of a medical professional.
http://cbs4.com/local/h1n1.flu.flu.2.1242996.html
Miami-Dade Receives First H1N1 Vaccine Shipment
Florida To Receive More Than 102,000 FluMist Nasal Spray Vaccines
Lisa Cilli
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The Miami-Dade Health Department has received its first shipment of the H1N1 vaccine but don't go running to wait in line. It's described as a "limited initial shipment", according to Olga Connor from the Miami-Dade County Health Department, who wouldn't reveal exactly how many doses were included in the first shipment.
In addition, the initial shipment includes only the FluMist nasal spray vaccine and not the injectable version.
The H1N1 Swine flu is widespread throughout the state and school children have been among those hardest hit.
During a statewide telephone news conference last week, Florida Surgeon General Ana Viomonte Ros said the state will receive a total of more than 102,000 doses of the FluMist nasal spray in its initial shipment.
The FluMist nasal spray immunizations will be given by public health clinics and private physicians. Exact details are currently being worked out and complete information will be provided by the Miami-Dade Health Department on Friday, October 16th, two days before vaccinations are scheduled to begin in South Florida.
The FluMist nasal spray, which is different than the injectable vaccine, is recommended only for children and adults between the ages of 2-49 who are NOT pregnant and have no underlying medical conditions; and healthy persons who live with or care for those in a high risk group.
The FluMist nasal spray is NOT recommended for infants under 2, adults over 49, pregnant women or anyone with a range of underlying health conditions.
The FluMist vaccine, which has the live but weakened virus in it, comes in single-doses and does NOT contain thimerosal or other preservatives. The vaccine virus is attenuated (weakened) so it will not cause illness, according to the CDC.
The state hasn't yet ordered its share of the injectable vaccine. When it does, Florida will receive 6-percent of the national total, according to Viamonte Ros.
There is a "priority" group of individuals who should receive the injectable vaccine. That "priority" group includes:
Pregnant women
Persons who live with or provide care for infants under 6-months
Health care and emergency medical services personnel
Persons aged 6-months to 24-years old
Persons aged 25 to 64-years-old who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu-related complications
The injectable vaccine is inactivated (which means the vaccine has killed virus in it). The multi-dose version contains thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative used to keep it free from germs. The single-dose units does not contain thimerosal.
Every Florida County has its own vaccine distribution plan. More than 3,000 private physicians have been approved to distribute the vaccine.
The Florida Department of Health has a "Flu Clinic Locations" web page at www.myflusafety.com which will provide information about public health sponsored vaccination clinics within each county.
People can also call the state hotline for information at 1-877-352-3581.
Florida is expected to receive 11 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine by January of 2010 and a vaccine shortage is not expected. Once the demand for vaccine for all priority groups has been met, providers will begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through 64-years old.
The federal government has also unveiled a one-stop resource for flu information at www.flu.gov.
The Web site features a new H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation guide for adults 18 and older along with a new Flu Myths and Facts section, which provides the public with the latest and most accurate information about the flu. The H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation guide will give individuals 18 and older more information about what they can do to take care of themselves, prevent the spread of the flu to other members of their families, and identify the warning signs of more serious flu symptoms -- symptoms that require the attention of a medical professional.
http://cbs4.com/local/h1n1.flu.flu.2.1242996.html