Friday, October 02, 2009

Atlantic County Readies for H1N1 Vaccinations

Flu vaccinations are nothing new for the Atlantic County Division of Public Health. Every fall it provides a number of public seasonal flu vaccination clinics. However, this year the division has the added responsibility of preparing for the new H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine that is expected to arrive in New Jersey as early as next week and to be distributed incrementally over the next several months.

Preparations by the Division of Public Health began last April following the initial outbreaks of H1N1 in Mexico and across the U.S. Over the last several months Atlantic County public health officials have attended numerous state conferences, met with area school officials, provided presentations to elected officials and community groups, distributed educational materials, held vaccinator training sessions and continued to monitor the situation, with guidance and direction from the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

“Flu viruses are serious communicable diseases and vaccination provides the best protection,” stated Atlantic County Health Officer Patricia Diamond. “We encourage those at greatest risk to be vaccinated. However, the target populations for H1N1 and seasonal flu do differ.”

While seniors are traditionally among those at higher risk for complications from seasonal flu, this does not appear to hold true with H1N1. Individuals age 65 and older are believed to have some immunity to the H1N1 virus and have so far been less susceptible. Rather, it is children and young adults between the ages of 6 months and 24 years who are most at risk for the new influenza strain.

Common to both high risk groups are pregnant women, adults with underlying medical conditions, health care workers and those who care for young children.

“It is important that the public understand which populations are targeted to receive the H1N1 vaccine, as determined by the CDC,” noted County Executive Dennis Levinson. “At this point we do not know how much vaccine we will receive or specifically when it will arrive. What we do know is that the high risk populations will be the first to receive the vaccine, not only in Atlantic County but throughout the state and the country.”

According to the CDC the current target populations for the H1N1 vaccine are:
* Pregnant women
* Caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age
* Children and young adults, ages 6 months through 24 years of age
* Health care workers and emergency medical services personnel
* Adults between 25 and 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions

In addition to the Atlantic County Division of Public Health, approximately 85 local physicians, health care providers and pharmacies have pre-registered with the state to provide H1N1 vaccines when they become available in Atlantic County. State health officials reported on September 29 that the first vaccine to be distributed will be in the form of a nasal mist which is not recommended for some in the high risk groups, such as pregnant women, infants and those with compromised immune systems. According to the state, the pediatric population will be targeted to receive the nasal mist.

Levinson reminds residents that the H1N1 vaccine is voluntary. “This is a new virus and a new vaccine. Residents should educate themselves before making any decision.”

Residents may visit the county Web site at www.aclink.org for information regarding the H1N1 virus and vaccine distribution as well as links to the CDC and NJ Department of Health and Senior Services Web sites. The county also has a flu hotline available at 677-5720.