Inventory of the new H1N1 vaccine is expected to be distributed throughout the state incrementally beginning in early- to mid-October.
County Health Director Dr. Tommy Jarrell said his department is expecting higher demand for the flu vaccine this year due to fears over H1N1 infection, and were encouraged to begin distributing vaccine earlier than normal this year.
“The (Centers for Disease Control) usually recommends you begin distributing the seasonal influenza vaccine on October 1, but this year we were all encouraged to begin providing it as soon as possible, primarily because there are so many cases of flu already,” he said. “This is not normal.”
He also noted everyone over the age of six months is recommended to take the vaccine, which is also a break from tradition.
Jarrell said the H1N1 toll in Richmond County now stands at a dozen confirmed cases, with more results being sent off over the last week and a half.
While the two different viruses have many of the same symptoms, the vaccines are not the same, and the populations who contract the viruses also differ.
H1N1 has affected children in the highest incidence, while pregnant women are four times as likely to get it. Clinical trials of the vaccine have been completed for adults, he said, but are still being conducted for children and for those who take both vaccines.
The elderly population is less likely to catch H1N1, but more likely to contract the seasonal strain.
“It is important to know that not everyone can take the seasonal flu vaccine as a shot,” Jarrell said. “Anyone who has an allergy to eggs or latex needs to take it in the nasal spray form, and that is not available here. Those people need to get it from a private provider who does have it.”
Last week, the health department held seasonal flu clinics on Tuesday and Thursday, and this week it is taking walk-ins each day from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The cost of the seasonal vaccine is $42 to those who do not have insurance that is filed by the health department.
“At the end of the week, we’re going to evaluate where we’re at and determine whether to continue to distribute it in this way,” Jarrell said. “When we get down to our last few doses we will do it by appointment.”
He said the approximately 2,000 doses available through the health department this year most likely will not be depleted by the end of the week, “but I think we’ll put a dent in it.”
A message encouraging people who are suffering flu-like symptoms not to enter was on the door of the health department Monday, which Jarrell said is to protect children and pregnant women who may be there from infection.
“If you’re sick with the flu, we will treat you, but we do want to protect those vulnerable populations, and we have a lot of them come here,” he said. “So, if you are suffering symptoms of the flu call in and make arrangements to be treated.”
Private providers also have the seasonal flu vaccine, and are expected to also administer the H1N1 vaccine, though those plans have not been finalized.
At the county aging services agency, an official reported little activity with the elderly seeking guidance on taking a vaccine against the flu.
“We at Richmond County Aging Services suggest that all our older residents get their seasonal flu shots,” Agency Director Jacqueline Adkins said. “As for the H1N1 shot, we suggest you follow the instructions of the county health department or a health care provider.”
Flu clinics for the seasonal vaccine are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at senior centers in municipalities throughout the county next week. They are scheduled Monday in Hamlet, Wednesday in Rockingham, Thursday in Ellerbe and Friday in East Rockingham.
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