DHSS Press Release |
Date: October 8, 2004 DHSS-104-2004 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Allison Taylor Levine, Communication Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 |
Contact: Heidi Truschel-Light Phone: (302) 744-4907 Pager: (302) 247-1560 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH ASSESSING VACCINE SUPPLIES STATEWIDE
Delaware's Division of Public Health's (DPH) internal flu vaccine working group is discussing a plan for distribution and administration of flu vaccine that may be available through hospitals and other private sources with the Medical Society of Delaware, the Delaware Healthcare Association, the Delaware Flu Coalition and the Delaware Long Term Care Association. No additional vaccine has been identified. A final plan is expected next week. No cases of influenza have been identified in Delaware during the 2004-2005 flu season, which begins in October. DPH continues to seek additional vaccine from distributors and/or other states.
Physicians providing flu shots through the Vaccines For Children (VFC) program should wait for further guidance. DPH has 3,400 doses of flu vaccine in stock for VFC, out of an order of 8,000. There are no assurances that the remainder of the order will be received. DPH is postponing distribution of the 3,400 doses for another 36 hours, pending guidance from the CDC.
VFC is a federal program that provides free vaccinations for children under age 18 that are uninsured, underinsured, eligible for Medicaid or are American Indian or Alaska Native. Under current rules, these vaccine units cannot be diverted to other individuals.
DPH offers the following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to individuals considering seeking flu vaccination. Individuals who are not included in one of the priority groups described below should be asked to forego or defer vaccination. The following priority groups for vaccination with inactivated influenza vaccine this season are considered to be of equal importance:
- all children aged 6-23 months;
- adults aged 65 years and older;
- persons aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions;
- all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
- residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
- children aged 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy;
- health-care workers involved in direct patient care; and
- out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged < 6 months.
Other Vaccination Recommendations
- Individuals in priority groups identified above should be encouraged to search locally for vaccine if their regular health-care provider does not have vaccine available.
- Nasally administered influenza vaccine, if available, should be encouraged for healthy persons who are aged 5-49 years and are not pregnant, including health-care workers (except those who care for severely immunocompromised patients in special care units) and persons caring for children aged <6 months.
- Children aged <9 years require 2 doses of vaccine if they have not previously been vaccinated. All children at high risk for complications from influenza, including those aged 6-23 months, who present for vaccination, should be vaccinated with a first or second dose, depending on vaccination status. However, doses should not be held in reserve to ensure that 2 doses will be available. Instead, available vaccine should be used to vaccinate persons in priority groups on a first-come, first-serve basis.
DPH recommends residents take the following steps to prevent viral illnesses and relieve symptoms should they occur:
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands frequently and carefully with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing. Be sure to clean under fingernails.
- Supervise children when washing hands to assure that they use soap and water thoroughly.
- Stay home if you are sick, to avoid spreading illness to others.
- Consult your physician if you are ill and ask about additional interventions such as anti-viral medications.
Additional information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu or through the CDC public response hotline, telephone 888-246-2675 (English), 888-246-2857 (Espaņol), or 866-874-2646 (TTY).
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
