First round of H1N1 vaccines headed to Nevada

By Mary Manning

Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009 | 12:20 p.m.

Nevada health officials said today that the first round of one of the new H1N1 flu vaccines has been ordered and the initial shipment should contain a little more than 28,000 doses.

The amount of the flu vaccine in spray form, made by MedImmune, is based on state population and as more vaccine becomes available, more doses will be ordered, State Health Officer Tracey D. Green said.

Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said this morning that 600,000 doses of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine had been ordered by 25 states and territories as of Wednesday. The shipments have been sent and should arrive to states by Tuesday, she said.

Since the first shipment is limited, doses will be given to local public health districts for distribution after it arrives next week, Green said.

"It's important to remember that flu mist can only be administered to healthy people, 2 to 49 years of age, and it is not for pregnant women," Green said.

The type of vaccine in the nasal spray contains live virus that is sprayed into a nostril, Green explained. Based upon clinical trial information, this H1N1 vaccine is expected to act much like the regular flu mist, Green said.

Each week the state expects to order more H1N1 flu vaccine, coordinating the response between private providers, pharmacies and public health departments, Green said.

The H1N1 vaccine given by an injection is expected to be available in the middle or end of October, state and federal health officials said.

The initial target groups for injections include pregnant women, those who have contact with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services staff, all people from six months to 24 years of age, children from 6 months through 18 years of age, young adults 19 through 24 years of age, and people aged 25 through 64 years of age who have health conditions putting them at higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Infants younger than 6 months of age cannot receive the H1N1 vaccine.

The new H1N1 flu vaccines have been licensed by the federal Food and Drug Administration. People over the age of 10 will only need one shot. Children 9 years and younger will need two vaccinations, one initial dose and a booster at 21 to 28 days after the first vaccine.

As more vaccine becomes available and the majority of the target groups have been vaccinated, other groups, such as people over the age of 65, will be able to receive a vaccination.

Health officials remind people that they also need a seasonal flu vaccine in addition to the H1N1 immunization.