11/5/2009 - West Side Leader
     

To the editor:

At the upcoming H1N1 flu clinics, we will carefully screen each person for medical eligibility for either the nasal spray or injectable H1N1 vaccine. Certain persons for reasons of age or medical conditions cannot receive the mist form of vaccine. However, many healthy persons can receive this safe and effective alternative to injectable vaccine.

In this time of limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine, we ask that all persons who medically qualify receive the live, attenuated (weakened) nasal spray vaccine. Our medical screening team will, after making the determination that you are eligible for nasal spray vaccine, answer all questions you may have. In addition, you will receive a vaccine information statement (VIS), which gives important information about product safety and who can receive the vaccine.

We must reserve the limited supply of H1N1 doses of injectable vaccine for those who cannot receive the mist form. This includes persons over 49 years of age and those who are pregnant.

We appreciate your cooperation as we work to protect as many people as possible with the limited vaccine available to us at this time. Should vaccine supply increase in the future, we may be able to honor all of those who request the injectable form of the vaccine.

H1N1 flu clinics are based on vaccine availability and are subject to change or cancellation. Check our Web site at www.medinahealth.org for cancellations. H1N1 flu clinics are first come, first served, and are based on the priority groups established by the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For information about the H1N1 influenza or the H1N1 vaccine, go to www.medinahealth.org, www.flu.gov or www.fda.gov. For more information about the Medina County Health Department, call us at (330) 723-9688, toll-free at (888) 723-9688, or visit our Web Site at www.medinahealth.org.  Services of the Medina County Health Department are partially funded by your local health levy.

Daniel Raub, D.O., health commissioner and medical director, Medina County Health Department

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