www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1808356,2_1_AU06_SWINEFLU_S1-091006.article
H1N1 vaccine shipments on way to Fox ValleyOctober 6, 2009
By LINDA GIRARDI For The Beacon-News
Fox Valley health providers that ordered the nasal spray version of the H1N1 vaccine are expecting to receive the first shipment later this week.
"Although providers will be getting the vaccine, that doesn't mean it will be available to the public immediately," said Kelly Jakubek, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the H1N1 vaccine. The target groups include:
• Pregnant women.
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel.
• People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years and people ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk of contracting H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
"The nasal spray is the first allotment that we recommend to go to health care workers with direct patient contact," Jakubek said. "We expect to receive different allotments in waves -- there is more to come.
"We do not have a set timeline for the multi-dose injections. From the time they tell us it is available, there is a week turn-around."
The CDC has recommended the nasal spray for healthy people ages 2 to 49. It is not recommended for pregnant women.
County health departments expect to receive the H1N1 vaccine around mid-October.
"We have scheduled clinics for the end of the month. If the vaccine doesn't arrive, we'll have to push it back," said Linda Swanson, assistant administrator for Kendall County Health Services.
Kane County Health Department Spokesman Tom Schlueter said they expect to receive the H1N1 vaccine in about two weeks and at that time will schedule clinics for shots.
Schleuter said close to 200 different providers in Kane County submitted orders for the H1N1 vaccine.
Jakubek said orders for the H1N1 vaccine were submitted to the Centers for Disease Control Oct. 1 on behalf of county health departments, hospitals, retail pharmacies and private providers, such as physician offices. She said 57,000 doses of the nasal spray will be sent to sites throughout Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago which will receive 16,000 doses.
"Our plan is to provide the vaccine to health care and emergency services personnel and move to other CDC target groups," said Marcie Zanellato, director of health education for DeKalb County.