DHSS Press Release |
Date: September 29, 2005 DHSS-95-2005 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
Contact: Heidi Truschel-Light Phone: (302) 744-4907 Pager: (302) 247-1560 |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH RECEIVES FIRST FLU VACCINE SHIPMENTS
The season's first influenza vaccine shipments have arrived at Delaware Health and Social Services' Division of Public Health (DPH). The vaccine will be given to Delawareans most in need of influenza protection beginning in mid October through DPH vaccination clinics.
DPH is receiving regular shipments of influenza vaccine and there should be plenty of doses to meet the needs of those Delawareans at highest risk for flu, said Dr. Jaime H. Rivera, DPH director. DPH received 3,200 vaccine doses for underprivileged children and 4,800 adult doses for DPH's long term care residents. These shipments are part of DPH's total order of 10,000 pediatric and 24,000 adult doses from the manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur in April.
DPH is distributing its 3,200 pediatric doses, designated for the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, to community health care providers. VFC provides free vaccinations for children under age 18 who are uninsured, underinsured, eligible for Medicaid or are American Indian or Alaskan Native. Under current rules, these vaccine units cannot be diverted to other individuals.
"Delaware's flu vaccine orders are being filled and promptly delivered," Dr. Rivera said. "Our staff and health professionals will administer these vaccines to protect people whose health is threatened without them."
People in one of the following groups can be vaccinated at DPH clinics:
- Children age 6-23 months;
- Adults 50 years and older;
- Age 2-49 with chronic medical conditions;
- Women who will be pregnant during flu season;
- Residents of long-term care facilities;
- Children age 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy;
- Healthcare workers involved in direct patient care; and
- Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of people in the other high-risk categories.
Scheduled community flu clinics will vaccinate adults only. Children under the age of 18 will be seen by appointment at the DPH clinics in state service centers. Parents or guardians interested in making flu appointments should call one of these DPH clinic scheduling offices:
- Hudson State Service Center, Newark - 302-283-7587
- Williams State Service Center, Dover - 302-739-4726
- Milford State Service Center, Milford - 302- 424-7150
- Shipley State Service Center, Seaford - 302-628-2006
- Georgetown State Service Center, Georgetown - 302-856-5213
Flumist, the nasal flu vaccine, may be available through community physicians. Flumist may be administered at any time during the flu season to vaccinate healthy people ages 5-49 years who are not pregnant, including most health-care personnel, other persons in close contact with groups at high risk for influenza-related complications, and others desiring protection against influenza.
For more information about flu clinic locations and dates, please call DPH's immunization program at 302-741-2950 or 1-800-282-8672. For additional information about the flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website: www.cdc.gov/flu.
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.
