Connecticut receives first doses of H1N1 vaccine

Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced Thursday [Oct. 15] that vaccination clinics for the H1N1 virus – previously the “swine flu” – are getting underway in Connecticut and more are expected to be scheduled over the next several weeks, as additional shipments of vaccine arrive in the state.

“These clinics are a great sign that the campaign to begin vaccinating Connecticut’s residents against H1N1 flu is off the ground,” Gov. Rell said.

“We expect to see many more clinics around the state as shipments continue to come in to doctors and other health care providers. It is critical that those most at risk are given priority for the initial doses,” she said.

The H1N1 vaccine is only effective against the H1N1 virus and does not protect against seasonal influenza.

Public health officials also encourage Connecticut residents to get their seasonal flu vaccination – clinics have been underway for several weeks – as well as the H1N1 vaccination.

More orders being placed

The state has already received more than 83,000 doses of intranasal (spray) and injectable (needle) vaccines, according the Department of Health (DPH).

Orders for the next shipment of vaccine are being placed and will include more intranasal vaccine.

Gov. Rell attended a clinic in Old Saybrook sponsored by the Connecticut River Area Health District. Vaccination was by appointment only and targeted:

• children between the ages of 2 and 4 years,
• those in the household with contact with children under the age of 6 months,
• and emergency and medical service and healthcare personnel with direct patient care.

The health district – which serves Clinton, Chester, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Old Saybrook and Westbrook – used the intranasal, or nasal spray, form of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

The intranasal vaccine has received federal approval for use in healthy persons 2-49 years old, who are not pregnant.

The state expects to receive several thousand more doses of vaccine in weekly shipments. Shipment quantities may vary depending on the vaccine manufactures’ supply.

Administered according to federal priority guidelines

As more vaccine is received, it will first be made available to those who are at greatest risk due to complications of H1N1 influenza, as suggested by the federal priority guidelines:

• pregnant women,
• caregivers of children younger 6 months old,
• health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact,
• children age 6 months to 4 years,
• and children age 5 to 18 with chronic medical conditions.

DPH Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin said people who belong to these priority groups should contact their health care provider or local health department for more information.  ”People may need to be patient and persistent to get the vaccine in these early rounds of vaccine supply,” he said.

Providers who have not pre-registered with the Department of Public Health and who are interested in receiving the H1N1 vaccine may still pre-register with the department. Information about pre-registering for the vaccine is available online at www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch/providers or by calling (860) 509-7929.

A public hotline for H1N1, staffed by representatives from DPH, is also available for people with questions about H1N1 flu or the H1N1 vaccine: 1-800-830-9426.

The public can call the hotline Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information on the H1N1 virus or the seasonal flu in Connecticut visit: http://www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch Another source of updates on the spread of the virus and other information is www.flu.gov

Posted Oct. 16, 2009