H1N1 Vaccine Demand Greater Than Local, National Supply

From: Sarah Kissell [mailto:skissell@ph.lacounty.gov]
Sent: Monday, October 26, 2009 8:51 PM
***If you would like to interview Dr. Fielding regarding this press
release and the screening procedures, he will be available at the El
Camino College Vaccine Clinic, 1111 E. Artesia Blvd, Compton, 90221,
starting at 6:30 a.m. Any major concerns, please page me (at a
reasonable hour please) at (213) 990-7107. Thank you very much!***


For Immediate Release:
October 26, 2009

H1N1 Vaccine Demand Greater Than Local, National Supply
Those not in H1N1 priority groups asked to wait for vaccine; some
county vaccine clinics may be forced to close early

LOS ANGELES - The demand for H1N1 vaccine in Los Angeles County is
currently exceeding local and national supplies, which is impacting some
Public Health-run vaccine clinics. To ensure equitable availability of
the limited vaccine supply throughout the county, screening for priority
groups will be intensified. Vaccine clinics that reach capacity before
posted closing hours will be forced to close early.

"Based on Public Health's experience with heavy demand for H1N1
vaccine here in LA County, we will be employing more thorough screening
to ensure that those individuals who are in the CDC-designated priority
groups are better served," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH,
Director and Health Officer. "If you are 25 to 64 without underlying
health problems or if you are 65 or older, and if you do not care for an
infant under 6 months of age, you are not in a priority group for the
limited H1N1 vaccine and you will be asked to defer vaccination until
H1N1 vaccine becomes more widely available."

Individuals who plan to go to a Public Health H1N1 vaccine clinic are
encouraged to review the vaccination form, available in several
different languages, and found on the Public Health website at
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov. Those who are in a priority
group for H1N1 vaccine should bring a completed vaccine form with them
to a vaccine clinic. Those who are not in an H1N1 priority group will
have to wait for a future date to receive vaccine.

Screening questions include:
● Date of birth?
● Do you have any of the following conditions?
o Asthma
o Heart, lung, kidney, liver or neurological disease
o Cancer
o Diabetes
o Blood disorder
o Compromised immune system
● Are you pregnant or do you think you may be pregnant?
● Do you take care of or live in a household with a child less
than 6 months of age?

Priority groups for H1N1 vaccine are:
● Pregnant women,
● People who live with or care for infants under six months of
age,
● Healthcare and emergency services personnel,
● Young people aged six months to 24 years of age,
● People aged 25 through 64 years of age who have health
conditions that put them at higher risk for flu-related complications.

Vaccine will be distributed through private health care providers,
doctor's offices, community clinics, and some chain pharmacies, as
soon as it arrives from the manufacturer into LA County. If you have
health insurance and your doctor does not yet have H1N1 vaccine, check
back with your doctor or your health care plan in the coming weeks.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and
improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles
County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and
services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control,
and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000
employees and has an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more
about Public Health and the work we do, please visit
http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov or visit our YouTube channel at
http://www.youtube.com/lapublichealth.

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