October 29, 2009

• The production of H1N1 vaccine has encountered delays, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

• As a result of these delays, large amounts of vaccine are not expected to be available in New York until mid-November or later.

• The vaccine supply is coordinated by the CDC. Whenever the CDC notifies the State Health Department of available vaccine, the Department quickly distributes the vaccine to clinical sites across the State. 

• As of October 26, the State Health Department allocated 460,300 doses of H1N1 vaccine – the full amount allotted at that point by the CDC.

• The Department is distributing the allotments as widely as possible to reach residents living in all parts of the State.

• We ask everyone to be patient. 

• The State Health Department (DOH) is getting available vaccine to as many doctor’s offices, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and county health departments as quickly as possible.

• If you are in one of the priority groups recommended to receive the vaccine, you should continue to try to get vaccinated by contacting your health care provider and/or your county health department.

• But keep in mind, vaccination may not be possible until mid-November or later. Please check the DOH web site at http://www.nyhealth.gov/ as well as your county health department’s web site and your health care provider for flu vaccination clinics.

• If you begin to feel sick and you are pregnant or have a medical condition that puts you at higher risk for serious illness and complications from the flu, check with your doctor about whether you should take anti-flu medication such as Tamiflu.

Follow these other measures to prevent getting and transmitting the flu:

• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the crook of your elbow, not your hands. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose and mouth. Flu spreads this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• Stay home when you are sick, and do not return to school or work until you have been fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours.
  

The priority groups to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine, as established by the CDC, are:

• Pregnant women;
• Children and young people ages 6 months through 24 years (infants under 6 months cannot be vaccinated);
• People who live with or provide care for infants under 6 months of age;
• People ages 25-64 years old who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for flu-related complications; and
• Health care workers and emergency medical services personnel.

For more information, check the New York State Department of Health Website:  http://www.nyhealth.gov/

Have questions? Call the DOH hotline at 1-800-808-1987
Or, ask your doctor.

Know what to do about the flu.