October 20, 2009

CDHD Narrows Definition of H1N1 Vaccine Priority Groups - Suspends School Vaccination Program

In response to smaller than expected deliveries of H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine the Central District Health Department (CDHD) is narrowing its definition of Priority Groups – those people most at risk of serious complications of the flu. The primary effect of the change will be to limit the number of people allowed to get the vaccine at Point of Dispensing (POD) locations starting on Saturday October 24th at two locations in Ada County.

Following the guidance of the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP), CDHD will limit access to the vaccine to the following groups:

• pregnant women,
• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age,
• health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact (i.e. diagnosing and treating patients with flu-like illness),
• children 6 months through 4 years of age, and
• children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, lung or heart disease, chronic liver or kidney disease, or are immune-compromised because of cancer treatment or HIV.

As long as the supply of vaccine remains unpredictable, the additional restrictions will remain in effect.

CDHD is continuing with its school-based vaccination campaign Tuesday October 20th, but will suspend the operation as soon as the current supply of nasal spray is exhausted. School vaccinations will resume with the delivery of additional vaccine.

CDHD is also working on a plan to have a private provider vaccinate students in private and charter schools, but that plan is also dependent on vaccine availability.

CDHD, like all other health agencies around the country, must adjust its plans for distributing the vaccine because of a smaller supply than what was originally projected.

For more information on the flu please visit the CDHD website at www.cdhd.idaho.gov or call the CDHD Flu Hotline at 321-2222.