H1N1 vaccines start to trickle in

BY TODD L. DISHER
Frontiersman
Published on Saturday, October 24, 2009 7:35 PM AKDT

MAT-SU — New doses of the H1N1 vaccine will trickle into the Valley in the next several days, but the limited number means only priority groups can expect to receive one of the first shots.

According to state health officials, the Mat-Su Public Health Clinic will get 170 injectable and 350 nasal spray swine flu vaccines on Thursday or Friday. The Fred Meyer and Carrs stores in Wasilla and Palmer will each get 10 doses of the injectable and 10 to 20 nasal sprays, as will Walgreens in Wasilla.

“It’s not a lot, but we are putting it in the pharmacies and the public health center so the priority people can walk in and get it,” state health spokesman Greg Wilkinson said.

He said he hopes people don’t rush to the pharmacies to get the vaccine. More shipments will come in each week until the end of December. He emphasized everyone who wants the vaccine will eventually be able to get the vaccine.

“We are asking people to be patient,” Wilkinson said. “Let those who are really vulnerable go first.”

The state defines five priority groups:

• Pregnant women.

• Household and caregiver contacts of children younger than 6 months old.

• Health care and emergency medical personnel.

• People between 6 months and 24 years old.

• People between 25 and 64 years old with an underlying medical condition associated with a higher risk of complications with the flu.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.

Comments

10 comment(s)

    Concerned wrote on Oct 25, 2009 10:17 PM:

    " And you didn't publish my response to your calling me a "wacko" Mr. Frontiersman. Censorship is alive and well here in our local valley newspaper,good job kid. "

    To concerned wrote on Oct 25, 2009 7:49 PM:

    " I was just pointing out that it appears articles move whenever there is a new paper coming out. ie... the Sunday edition. New news, new day ect... I commented to concerned for the reason that there is always some fanatic who assumes it is a conspiracy, or censorship or hidden agenda when things change and news stories move further down the pecking order on a media website or print edition. Concerned points out that because a story moves it must be because of Blog statements when in reality it probably has nothing to do with blogs. "

    About To Concerned wrote on Oct 25, 2009 7:35 PM:

    " Wow, you have nothing worthy to add but felt like typing anyways...gee thanks.
    And, I too noticed the missing article and I read the online version all of the time and usually find that the same article remains too long. I don't think it was a coincidence either. "

    Concerned wrote on Oct 25, 2009 5:23 PM:

    " And many poorly written boring mind numbing articles linger for days . You got pretty upset about my casual observation. Do you work for the Frontiersman? No? Why the anger then?After the news sermon about how bloggers should show respect and refrain from name calling you call me a "wacko" and it was printed. Well you are a weak minded ,intolerant, under educated buffoon. "

    To concerned wrote on Oct 25, 2009 1:29 PM:

    " Get a clue. It appears their stories move around from time to time. Are you to inept to search the site? besides it's wackos like you that put fear in people where no fear is warranted. Just diligence. "

    Concerned wrote on Oct 25, 2009 1:10 PM:

    " You pulled this story off the internet front page in less than 16 hours? WHY? Did the blog statements critical of the vaccine not meet with your approval? What a sad excuse for professional journalism. "

    MORE INSERT INFO wrote on Oct 25, 2009 10:54 AM:

    " Studies to test the 2009 H1N1 flu shots in healthy children and adults and pregnant women are being done now. These studies are being conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). More information can be found at 3.niaid.nih.gov/news/QA/vteuH1N1qa.htm.

    AND THE STATE OF ALASKA HAS DECIDED THAT PREGNANT WOMEN AND YOUNG CHILDREN GET THIS VACCINE WHEN THE VACCINE MANUFACTURERS DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!!!! "

    READ THE INSERTS wrote on Oct 25, 2009 10:51 AM:

    " package insert September 2009 Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine states:

    Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine is an inactivated influenza virus vaccine indicated for active immunization of persons 4 years of age and older against influenza disease caused by pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus.
    Novartis states it has not been tested in pregnant or nursing women:

    Safety and effectiveness of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine have not been established in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children less than 4 years of age. "

    LOL wrote on Oct 25, 2009 10:27 AM:

    " Obama declares a "national emergency" over the swine flu one day and now the White House discloses that the school age Obama kids have NOT been vaccinated against H1N1. My kids should be but not Mr.Obama's? That speaks volumes about how safe this may be. Rahm Emmanuel says a "crisis should never go to waste". The Obama administration states its goal as "total transformation" of our nation and has recruited a lot of marxist "czars" to aid in his revolutionary zeal. The actions and intent of this administration must be scrutinized closely. They have not earned our trust thus far. "

    Observer wrote on Oct 25, 2009 9:55 AM:

    " The Obama children have not received the swine flu shots( Sunday Drudge Report). Due to their close daily proximity to the President it would seem they would be priority recipients. Perhaps Ma and Pa Obama down deep don't trust the safety of this vaccine when it comes to their family. That line of thinking would put them in agreement with about 70% of health care professionals and members of the general public. Still the feds are ordering up 200,000,000 million doses of the vaccine from five different pharmaceutical firms to "keep us safe". Big Pharma will make billions....Hhmmm... "

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