H1N1 vaccine procedures outlined

High-risk groups will have the first chance to receive a new H1N1 swine flu vaccine targeted for a mid- to late October release.
That’s according to the Regional Medical Director for the Texas Department of State Health Ser-vices Dr. Luis Escobedo. He spoke Tuesday to area medical workers at a regional conference on the pandemic H1N1 flu held at Odessa Regional Medical Center. Aside from this outline, specific details of how and when to sign up for a vaccine are still unknown.
Pregnant women, children and young adults up to age 24, those caring for children and people with chronic health problems weakening their immune system are all expected to top a list of peo-ple who may sign up to receive the initial doses of roughly 50 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine nationwide. Escobedo said two vaccinations will likely be required to ensure proper immunity unless current clinical trials show one vaccination is effective.
Escobedo said the procedure could change if more vaccine becomes available or demand is less than expected, but currently it looks like the general population not in a high-risk group will get the vaccine after high-risk individuals all have their opportunity. A fairly tough flu season is expected.
“We anticipate a much larger number of cases. Lots of people haven’t been previously exposed,” he said.
Ector County Health Department Director Gino Solla said the department is starting to work on encouraging health providers to register to give the vaccine. He said the state health department will send a letter to medical providers throughout the state basically providing a roadmap on how to get a vaccine supply for their locations. At that point, providers will try to determine how many vaccinations will be needed for those with serious health problems and relay that information to the state.
Solla said the vaccines will be free, aside from some minimal administration fees asked for by some organizations, but he said insurance and Medicaid will cover those costs as well. He said a significant amount of planning is still needed for all health organizations to prepare for the ex-pected outbreak.
“This is a new novel virus, and it’s a changing situation. But, we have the ducks we need to start getting in a row,” he said.
Escobedo said this region of Texas had the highest number of hospitalizations reported, with deep South Texas having the highest number of overall H1N1 cases. He said members of the public need to get ready even before a vaccine becomes available.
“Do the basic things: wash hands, become educated, stay at home if you’re sick,” he said.

FLU TIPS
>> Wash hands.
>> Use hand sanitizer with 60 percent alcohol content or better.
>> Cover mouth when sneezing or coughing.
>> Become educated.
>> Stay at home when sick.