Health Department receives first shipment of H1N1 injectable vaccine

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health received its first doses of H1N1 injectable vaccine today and will be giving it to healthcare providers to vaccinate pregnant women, chronically ill children and medical workers.

The department received approximately 3,000 doses of H1N1 injectable vaccine on Tuesday but it will not be available at the public vaccination clinics. 

Some of this vaccine is being reserved for hospitals and urgent care clinics to vaccinate staff members who provide direct patient care. It is not intended for the general public.

Local pediatricians, obstetricians, and asthma and allergy centers will also be receiving a limited amount of vaccine for their staff and for patients who are at risk for serious complications from the H1N1 flu, including pregnant women, children up to 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes and muscular dystrophy.

 People should contact their health care provider to see if they are eligible for the vaccine.

A list of area providers who have received the vaccine will be posted later on www.FightTheFlu.org.

The department also received approximately 1,700 doses of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine and will continue to offer it at its clinic at Carew Medical Park. The nasal spray vaccine is being reserved for healthy children and young adults and for people who live with or provide care to infants less than 6 months of age.

A person cannot receive the nasal spray vaccine if he or she has asthma or is sick with nasal congestion. No one older than 49 years of age can receive this vaccine.

Parkview Health is providing space for the clinic at Carew Medical Park, 1818 Carew Street. The clinic will be open Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. while supplies last.

Anyone experiencing symptoms of influenza should stay home and contact a health care provider.

For more information, go to www.FightTheFlu.org or call 2-1-1. 

Vaccines available at the Carew Medical Park clinic

  H1N1 FluMist vaccine (nasal spray)

• For healthy children and young adults 2 to 24 years of age who do not have underlying health condtions
• For persons up to age 49 who live with or provide care for infants less than six months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers)
• No child younger than 2 years of age can get this vaccine
• No adult older than 49 can get this vaccine
• Children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, four weeks apart, to be fully protected
• If a child has had any live vaccine such as the MMR, Varicella (chickenpox) or the seasonal flu mist vaccine in the last 28 days, the child cannot receive the H1N1 FluMist vaccine  

Seasonal Flu vaccine (injectable)

• For children 6 months up to 3 years
• No child younger than 6 months can get this vaccine

 Both vaccines are free to the public and can be given at the same time. Children under age 18 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

Be a Flu Fighter!

• Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• Wash your hands often with soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze  

Go to www.FightTheFlu.org