Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Atlantic County to Begin H1N1 Clinics with Vaccine Delivery

The Atlantic County Division of Public Health anticipates it will soon receive its order of H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine now that it has begun to arrive in our region. County public health officials placed an order on October 9 and received confirmation of receipt of its order that same day. Plans for public H1N1 vaccination clinics throughout Atlantic County have been finalized and will be announced once the vaccine arrives.

“We are anxious to begin providing H1N1 vaccine and will do so as soon as we receive our order,” stated County Executive Dennis Levinson. “What we don’t want to happen, is to announce clinics and then have to reschedule due to lack of vaccine, as was the case with this year’s seasonal flu clinics. We have been reassured by federal and state health officials that there will be plenty of H1N1 vaccine for all who need it and want it.”

Levinson noted that all H1N1 vaccine is currently earmarked for the target populations as identified by the federal Centers for Disease Control until such time that the vaccine becomes readily available. These target populations include:
* pregnant women
* individuals 6 months through 24 years of age
* individuals who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age
* health care and emergency medical services personnel
* individuals 25 through 64 years of age who have certain chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems

The delivery of H1N1 vaccine continues to be staggered as national manufacturers have not been able to produce the vaccine as quickly as federal officials had expected. As more becomes available, healthy individuals 25 through 64 years of age and adults 65 years and older will also be able to receive it.

“Atlantic County residents can be assured that we will act quickly to distribute vaccine to those most in need. We have successfully run our seasonal flu clinics for many years and we will use that expertise to ensure safe and efficient H1N1 vaccination clinics,” added Levinson.

Residents are encouraged to check the county Web site at www.aclink.org/publichealth for more information about H1N1 as well as to help them locate both seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccination providers.

“Our primary concern is our children who appear to be hardest hit by this new influenza strain. We appreciate the public’s cooperation and patience as we work to meet the challenges presented by this flu pandemic,” concluded Levinson.

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