Flu vaccine available to wider group

As the H1N1 virus continues its spread across the state, Alabama Public Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson has expanded the target group of people eligible for the vaccine.

"We have been able to provide some novel H1N1 influenza vaccines to providers in both public and private sectors and, with the ongoing delivery of the vaccine, we are now beginning another phase of our strategy to expand coverage to the broader target groups," he said.

People six months to 24 years of age are now included on the list, as are individuals 25 to 64 years old with an underlying health problem. Additional plans include school-based clinics to begin the week of Nov. 30.

"Initial vaccination efforts will focus on children less than 10 years of age since this age group requires two doses of vaccine approximately four weeks apart for maximum protection," Williamson said. "All school-aged children should be vaccinated."

In preparation for these clinics, which will target kindergartners through the third grade, health officer Dr. Karen Landers met with school superintendents from across the Shoals to address their concerns about anticipated demand and how and when the vaccines would be administered.

"We're trying to do a three-pronged approach that includes the walk-in clinics, mass clinics and school-based clinics later in the month," she said. "The more we do now will help get all the kids vaccinated."

The Lauderdale County Health Department is planning an after-hours mass clinic to accommodate working parents, and Landers said vaccines would be given at all local health departments as long as they are available.

"We're not the only ones with the vaccines now," she said. "There are private physicians, including pediatricians, obstetricians and family practitioners, who have it and are used to administering vaccines."

Landers said only the mist version of the vaccines will be given in the school setting. The injectable version will only be administered by health care providers as it must be given to individuals with underlying health problems.

"The children who are eligible for the mist are from ages 2 and up, so we'll have a large population of healthy kids who can take it, and it's a perfectly effective product. Most kids like it because it's not a shot," she said. "For those who require an injection, those who might have asthma or diabetes or an underlying kidney problem, it's important for us to see them."

Florence Schools Superintendent Kendy Behrends said the district will extend a mass phone call this evening informing parents about vaccination clinics at local health departments and pediatricians' offices.

"When we do host clinics at the schools beginning next month, it will be a more involved process because children will have to have completed information packets and show that they have permission to have the vaccination," she said.

"It will be a simpler process for children to get the vaccination at the health department or doctor's office. Then, early next month, we'll offer an opportunity at the school for those who haven't yet gotten it."

Behrends said she hasn't heard comments from parents regarding the H1N1 vaccination and that she doesn't know yet if the clinics will be offered at every school in the district.

"Certainly, if we see there's a need, we'll have a clinic at each school and, of course, all immunizations are subject to availability," she said.

Lander said only an estimated 30 percent to 50 percent will get the vaccine, although she said she'd like to see that percentage higher, especially among children.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend everyone get the vaccine," she said. "We just don't know what the uptake will be for us yet."

Michelle Rupe Eubanks can be reached at 740-5745 or michelle.eubanks@TimesDaily.com.

Staff Writer Lisa Singleton-Rickman contributed to this report.