Health workers to get first doses of swine flu vaccine

The Carson City Division of Health and Human Services announced Friday that it will receive 1,700 doses of FluMist, the inhaled form of vaccine for 2009 H1N1 Influenza, for Carson City, Douglas and Lyon counties. A delivery date is yet to be confirmed.

Due to the limited number of doses, the health department will first offer the inhaled version of the swine flu vaccine to health care workers and EMTs who meet the priority groups designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as priority recipients.

The inhaled vaccine is approved for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49. It is not approved for pregnant women or individuals with underlying medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes.

"We are working closely with all local medical providers to identify staff who are eligible to receive the inhaled vaccine," said Marena Works, director of the city's health and human services department. "EMTs and health care workers who have direct patient contact can be a first line of defense against the spread of influenza because they may have close contact with people who are already ill. It's important to protect these workers because increased absenteeism among them could impact our local health care system and its ability to care for people who are ill."

Priority groups for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, as designated by the CDC, are: pregnant women; household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age; health care and emergency medical services personnel; people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age; and people between the ages of 25 and 64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of complications.

Physicians and medical practices that treat members of the other priority groups will receive the vaccine first. Most likely, enough vaccine to meet the needs of the community will be available in a month.

"Until we have an adequate supply of 2009 H1N1 vaccine in our community, we ask for the public's patience," said Works. "In the meanwhile, we urge folks to get their regular seasonal flu shots and practice good health habits such as frequent hand washing and staying home if you become ill."

On Oct. 10, the Carson City Health Department is offering free seasonal flu shots from

9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Senior Center located at 911 Beverly Drive (walk-through) and at the Nevada National Guard, 2460 Fairview Drive (drive-through).