October 30, 2009

The Fresno County Department of Public Health has received a limited shipment of Pandemic Flu H1N1 vaccine.
 
These vaccines are available to the following priority groups:

• Children 6 months through 36 months of age (with waiver)

• Persons 3 years through 24 years of age

• Pregnant women (with waiver)

• Persons 25 years through 64 years of age with chronic medical conditions

• Caregivers of infants younger than 6 months of age

There also is a limited supply of seasonal flu vcaccine (not H1N1).
The supply is limited to certain formulations appropriate for administration to specific populations only.
 
The following vaccines are still available at Department Seasonal Flu vaccination clinics:

• Flu Mist LAIV (intranasal spray Seasonal Flu vaccine) for healthy persons 24 months
  through 49 years of age

• Pediatric injectable Seasonal Flu vaccine for children 6 months through 36 months of age

The Department’s supply of injectable Seasonal Flu vaccine for all other populations has been exhausted because of a high demand early in the season. No additional allocation is expected this year.
 
The 2009 Seasonal Flu vaccination clinics which are currently scheduled at various urban and rural locations throughout the county will continue to be held as long as supplies of the Flu Mist and pediatric injectable formulations remain. Seasonal Flu vaccine does not provide protection against the Pandemic Flu H1N1 virus.
 
Dates, times, and locations for the Public Health Department’s Flu Vaccination Clinics are available by visiting the Department’s Web site at www.fcdph.org/flu or by calling the toll-free Influenza Information Line at 888.993.3003.
 
Fresno State has yet to receive its allotment of the H1N1 flu vaccine. Look to FresnoStateNews.com and Flu Central for frequent updates.