H1N1 vaccine efforts expanding as more vaccine comes to state

Virginia health officials are opening up H1N1 vaccinations to more people, targeting patients being discharged from hospitals and releasing nasal mist vaccine to retail pharmacies in hopes of reaching more 19-24-year-olds.

Flulike-illness visits to emergency rooms and urgent-care centers remain low statewide, at about 3 percent of all visits, compared with 15 percent about a month ago.

"I am convinced [vaccine] is part of the reason we are seeing a significant downward trend in the incidence of disease," Dr. Donald Stern, the Richmond City Health District director, said yesterday as he helped launch a vaccination campaign in city public-housing developments.

Virginia has been allocated more than 2 million doses of flu vaccine, Virginia's health commissioner, Dr. Karen Remley, said yesterday.

Remley called the state vaccination campaign an "overwhelming success," with vaccine reaching priority groups, including pregnant women and young children.

"We know that at least a quarter of the children in the state have been vaccinated," Remley said.

"When you think about over a short period of time, that's incredible," she said, adding that vaccine is being delivered to providers every day.

In an effort to get more vaccine to more people, she is encouraging hospitals to offer the vaccine to patients being discharged as part of standing orders.

And while many college students have been vaccinated, there are many young people who are not in school but out working.

"We know that young adults . . . tend to be less engaged in seeing doctors on a regular basis. That is one of the reasons we are going to push that nasal mist out into pharmacies," Remley said.

The nasal mist version of the H1N1 vaccine is made with a live, weakened virus and is recommended for healthy, nonpregnant people ages 2-49. Remley said it will be shipped to retail pharmacies starting next week. While the vaccine is free, pharmacies can charge a fee of up to a $20 fee to administer it. Many insurance companies have announced they will cover the cost.

"You can always come to the health department," Remley said. "In the health department, the vaccine will always be free."

Also, parents with young children need to be thinking about getting the second dose of vaccine recommended for children age 9 and younger. Many schools will be having a second round of vaccine clinics, but children also can get the shot at health departments and doctors' offices, she said.

While the emphasis is still on getting priority groups vaccinated, anyone who wants a flu shot can request one at health departments.

Laboratory tests show all of the influenza circulating in the community is H1N1, or swine flu, Remley said. In Virginia, H1N1 flu has been blamed for 35 deaths, including of three children.

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