“The supply of both the H1N1 shot and the nasal mist have become more plentiful in recent weeks, and we want to make it available to as many people as possible through both private healthcare providers and at DHEC clinics,” said Jerry Gibson, M.D., chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Disease Control. “We encourage you to get vaccinated now so that your body will have time to build resistance to the H1N1 flu virus as we head into the heart of the flu season this winter.”
This fall, when production couldn’t meet the demand for vaccination, H1N1 shots were reserved for “target groups” set by the national Centers for Disease Control, set aside for those who were pregnant, caregivers for the young and healthcare workers, for example.
DHEC still strongly encourages those in the priority groups to get immunized. But now, DHEC wants shot providers to vaccinate those outside the target groups “as their supplies permit,” Gibson said.
H1N1 shots will be offered to all people ages 6 months and older, he said.
“Talk to your healthcare provider to find out if the vaccine is available there,” Gibson said.
The H1N1 nasal mist vaccine is still available to all healthy, non-pregnant South Carolinians between the ages of 2 to 49.
But the nasal mist form, also called FluMist, contains the live attenuated flu virus (LAIV) and is not safe for everyone. The injectable vaccine contains an inactive flu virus, so it’s safer for a wide range of people.
Call a private health office or DHEC’s Wilson Road clinic at 321-2170 to schedule an appointment for an H1N1 shot.
DHEC public health departments will be closed for state holidays today and Friday.
“We anticipate additional vaccine supplies to arrive in January and will plan more community H1N1 vaccine clinics accordingly,” Gibson said. “In addition to these sites, in January DHEC will continue its school-based vaccination clinics to reach as many children as possible.”
Post a Comment
