Clay County receives small amount of H1N1 vaccine

"We have received limited doses of H1N1 vaccine to date which is not enough to vaccinate the priority groups at this point, let alone others in the county who would like this protection," explained Colette Rossiter, Clay County Public Health nurse. "We are receiving small shipments at a time and are carefully distributing only to people within the high priority groups. Unfortunately, we have not received enough vaccine to take care of those in our identified priority groups. Also, most of the vaccine we have received has been the nasal spray which cannot be used on pregnant women or on children under the age of 2 years."

Rossiter said that when a shipment of injectable vaccine arrives, hopefully yet this week, clinics will be scheduled and publicized for expectant mothers. Once a greater quantity of vaccine arrives, Clay County will work with the area school districts to hold vaccination clinics for all school age children. Rossiter added that if Clay County receives a large shipment, a vaccination clinic will eventually be scheduled for the public.

"The hope is still that we will eventually receive enough vaccine for everyone who needs and wants to be immunized against H1N1 influenza," Rossiter said. "Health officials believe that fortunately, older Americans have some immunity to the H1N1 virus. Unfortunately, children and young adults do not. We're seeing this virus impact young, healthy people more frequently than seasonal influenza does."

Priority groups include health care workers, pregnant women, household contacts and childcare providers, children ages six months to four years old; children ages five to 18 with chronic diseases and young adults ages 18 to 25. Children aged five to 18 years old that do not have chronic illness be the next priority group.

To prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus, cover your cough, wash your hands frequently, and stay home if ill.

For more information go to www.spencerhospital.org and click on the Health & Wellness link, or www.idph.state.ia.us or www.cdc.gov.