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Updated 10/30/09
The Health Care Agency continues to work with the California
Department of Public Health to distribute vaccine in response to
the 2009 H1N1 Flu. This is in coordination with the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which has arranged for
the production of an estimated 195 million doses of vaccine
before the end of the year.
Vaccine is beginning to be distributed to local health
department and to some providers in the community. Vaccine
received by the Health Care Agency is being redirected to
hospitals, specialty clinics and physicians that are able to
reach the highest risk patients. This now includes making
thimerasol (mercury preservative) free vaccine available to
private Obstetricians in Orange County and through an
appointment-only clinic at our Public Health clinic in Santa Ana
(see below).
In addition the Health Care Agency is supporting school-based
clinics and establishing public vaccination clinics (see
information below) to reach additional people in CDC recommended
priority groups.
- people who live with
or care for children younger than 6 months of age,
- healthcare and
emergency medical services personnel,
- persons between the
ages of 6 months through 24 years of age, and
- people from ages 25
through 64 years who are at higher risk for Pandemic (H1N1)
2009 influenza complications because of chronic health
disorders or compromised immune systems
The Health Care Agency is
working with community providers to assure rapid access to
vaccine by individuals in the priority groups. Providers may
still register for free vaccine at
CalPanFlu.org.
As vaccine supplies increase, H1N1 vaccinations will be
available through many avenues as supplies increase:
- Approximately 10% of
the vaccine supply will be available through Kaiser
Permanente to its members (NOW AVAILABLE)
- More than 1,000
private health care providers will receive vaccine, so check
with your provider
- Many schools,
colleges and universities will be offering onsite
vaccinations for school children
- Many Community
Clinics will have vaccinations available to the public
- Several hospitals,
cities, community service centers, and the Health Care
Agency will be offering public vaccination clinics.
Source:
OCHealthinfo.com |
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