The state health secretary said the gradual rollout of swine flu vaccine presents "a logistical puzzle" to ensure that the limited supply gets first to those who need it most. It comes as health providers are experiencing spot shortages of vaccine against the seasonal flu, which authorities had recommended everyone get. The Harford County Health Department, for instance, had to cancel a drive-through vaccination clinic at Ripken Stadium earlier this week because it could not get enough of the seasonal-flu vaccine.
Nasal spray complications
The logistics are also complicated by the fact that those getting nasal spray for both seasonal and swine flu must wait four weeks between doses. If one vaccine is injected and the other is given by nasal spray, or if two shots are given, they can be given together.
Health officials say they hope and expect to eventually have enough vaccine against H1N1 to give to everyone who wants it. But as the production is ramped up, federal authorities say priority should be given to vaccinating pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, health care and emergency workers, young people from 6 months to 24 years old, and adults 25 through 64 years old who have chronic health conditions or compromised immune systems.
Colmers said he has been assured by federal officials that the state should be able to get 900,000 to 1 million doses of vaccine by the end of the month. That would immunize a third or less of the priority population of about 2.9 million, he said, since children under 10 would need two doses of the vaccine to be fully protected, with 21 days between doses.
Health officials say parents and other adults wanting to get themselves or their children vaccinated should contact their physicians and ask for an appointment or to be notified to come in when the vaccine is available.
"And ultimately, it'll be available broadly," Colmers said, not just in doctors' offices and public clinics but at pharmacies and elsewhere.
A number of local health departments have formulated plans to offer vaccine in community clinics and at public and private schools. But officials said yesterday those plans are on hold until they learn more about how much vaccine they can expect when.
