How can I get the H1N1 vaccine?
September 15, 2009Here’s the latest new as of September 9, 2009. In the state of Colorado, H1N1 “Swine Flu” vaccine will only be available through county health departments in October-December to high-risk groups. Private providers, like Passport Health Colorado, will be able to provide H1N1 vaccine to the general public as of January 1, 2010.
On a national level, Passport Health is working closely with the CDC to be a provider for the H1N1 vaccine nation-wide. Here at Passport Health Colorado, we are working closely with our colleagues at the health departments to get doses for our clients. Last week, I attended a meeting with all of the Denver metro county health departments to get an update on what they are planning for H1N1 vaccine delivery.
The first doses of H1N1 vaccine are expected to ship sometime in October. For all of November and December, the health departments will be running community clinics and focusing on high priority clients only (pregnant women, school children and young adults up to age 24, caregivers of infants, healthcare workers, adults with chronic medical conditions ONLY). The general message from all counties is that H1N1 doses for all non-priority clients will not be made available to community vaccinators (such as Passport Health Colorado) until after January 1, 2010.
Once doses are available, we will be scheduling walk-in clinics in our offices as well as corporate H1N1 clinics. Prior to January, our clients in the priority risk groups should receive the vaccine through community channels. Please continue to check our website and this blog for more updates. We will post community clinic dates as information becomes available.
Written by: Rebecca Sundhagen, RN, BSN; Nurse Manager for Passport Health Colorado
Why would world travelers not be classed as high risk as i can see some countries such as China could make vaccination an entry requirement without exception. and the travelers exposure creates oportu ity for cross border transfer and mutations which is what viruses do very well. I do thank you for the info but as above it seems like an isolationary view of the desease.
Thank you for your comment, Graham. To answer your question, currently n countries have mandated 2009 H1N1 vaccine prior to travel. However, international travel vaccine requirements may change as the pandemic status changes in the future. The CDC has published guidelines for international travel during 2009 H1N1 flu outbreaks which directly addresses your question. I will print some of it here:
“Current Situation: Novel H1N1 flu cases have been reported in many countries around the world, with most of the cases being reported from the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Overall, the numbers of new cases of novel H1N1 flu in Mexico and the United States appears to be declining. However, outbreaks continue to be reported in some communities.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the normal flu season typically occurs sometime during April-September, and some countries in the Southern Hemisphere are reporting increasing numbers of cases of novel H1N1 flu.
On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 in response to the ongoing global spread of the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus. A Phase 6 alert level means that a global pandemic is underway and that there are now ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world. The Phase 6 pandemic alert level is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus.
Recommendations for Travel to Areas Reporting Novel H1N1 Flu: CDC recommends that travelers at high risk for complications from any form of flu discuss their travel plans with their doctor. Together, they should look carefully at the H1N1 flu situation in their destination and the available health-care options in the area. They should discuss their specific health situations and possible increased risk of traveling to the area affected by novel H1N1 flu.
Travelers at high risk for complications include:
•Children less than 5 years of age
•Persons aged 65 years or older
•Children and adolescents (less than 18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection
•Pregnant women
•Adults and children who have chronic pulmonary, cardiovascular, hepatic, hematological, neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders
•Adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV)
Healthy people may make travel plans as they normally would and take common sense precautions to protect their health during travel.
For more information, feel free to search the CDC’s H1N1 Flu website as well.