Health department receives small batch of swine flu vaccine

Officials say quantities are limited in this first shipment of vaccine, so they have only been sent to public health clinics. The county health department received approximately 100 doses this week.

The first shipment is a live virus nasal spray and is being targeted for healthy children age 2–4 years old, according to health department officials. Children in this age range will require two doses of the vaccine at least four weeks apart.

Officials say more vaccine is expected to arrive in the next few weeks, including the inactivated injectable form.

The health department will provide the vaccine at no charge to patients, though Medicare or Medicaid will be billed for an administration fee, officials said.

“You cannot get the flu by taking this vaccine,” officials emphasized. “The nasal spray sometimes produces mild side effects. The most common side effects are runny nose, wheezing, nasal congestion and fever. These are rare and less severe than any problems created by actually having the flu.”

The nasal spray vaccine should not be given to the following: children who are receiving treatments containing aspirin; children with a sensitivity to eggs, egg proteins, gentamicin, gelatin or arginine; children younger than two years old; children with asthma or less than four years old with recurrent wheezing; children with health problems that predispose them to complications from flu; children that have a muscle, nerve, or seizure disorder that could lead to breathing and swallowing problems; and/or children that have a weakened immune system.

“The 2009 H1N1 vaccine will not protect you from the seasonal flu,” officials stated. “People should get both kinds of flu vaccine to protect themselves from getting sick this season.”

Vaccine availability may vary by area. Call the Madison County Health Department at 706-795-2131 for specific information about when the vaccine will be given.