Health departments in the North Georgia Health District began administering the district’s first shipment of H1N1 vaccine to healthy children ages 2 to 4 years old on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Public health departments in Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Murray, Pickens and Whitfield counties opened on Oct. 14 for extended hours from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. to provide the nasal spray known as live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) to healthy children ages 2 to 4 years old. This high priority group has been targeted in Georgia for this first limited shipment of the H1N1 vaccine in order to vaccinate a population that more easily spreads the virus and is more at risk for hospitalizations.
The North Georgia Health District received this initial shipment of the H1N1 live nasal spray on Tuesday, Oct. 6 and has now finalized plans for administering the vaccine as quickly as possible.
District Health Director Dr. Harold Pitts stated, “Due to our
limited supply, we are focused on reaching this particular priority group with our first shipment of H1N1 vaccine. As more vaccine becomes available, including the inactivated injectable form, we will continue to build the wall of immunity that will help protect our communities against the spread of this virus by targeting our most vulnerable populations, first. We anticipate that we will eventually have enough H1N1 vaccine in the district for everyone who wants to receive one.”
The health departments will provide the vaccine at no charge to patients. However, an administrative fee may be charged through Medicare, Medicaid and all third party insurance including State Health Benefit plans for United Health Care and CIGNA. Residents are asked to bring their insurance cards at the time of service. Service will be on a first come, first serve basis until the current vaccine supply is depleted. |
|
