DHS urges targeting H1N1 vaccine to most-at-risk
The Department of Health Services (DHS) is recommending that local health departments and health professionals target H1N1 vaccine for those individuals most-at-risk during the next several weeks as the vaccine supply continues to fluctuate. DHS has also requested that, beginning the week of Nov. 1-7, public and private health care providers refrain from mass public vaccination clinics, unless they are targeted at those most at risk.
As of Oct. 28, Wisconsin has been allocated a total of 407,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine.
“As we have seen in every state in the nation, the supply of H1N1 vaccine is unpredictable. Therefore, the safest course of action is to target the vaccine we do have for those who are most-at-risk of becoming seriously ill from this virus,” said Secretary Karen Timberlake.
“While we do not anticipate this will need to be a long-term strategy, we’ve issued guidance to help our health professionals make the largest impact with the vaccine that is available.”
DHS is now recommending that the public health and health care community focus vaccination efforts on the following subset of CDC’s target groups:
• Pregnant women;
• Persons who live with or provide care for infants age 6 months or younger (examples: parents, siblings, daycare providers);
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material;
• Children age 6 months-4 years; and
• Children and adolescents age 5-18 years who have chronic medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
These recommendations are consistent with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines when vaccine supply is limited. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices advises the CDC.
“The CDC had to choose between waiting to distribute vaccine until it had large quantities ready to be shipped or distributing limited quantities of the vaccine sooner,” Secretary Timberlake said.
“The CDC chose the latter knowing it would create some challenges and frustrations for health care providers and the public, but also realizing it would allow us to start protecting people against this virus as soon as possible.”
Community vaccination clinics will resume as H1N1 vaccine becomes more readily available. People may call 2-1-1 to find out an H1N1 or seasonal influenza vaccine clinic nearest them. A “clinic finder” is also available online at http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov or www.wisconsinfluclinic.info.
