DHSS Press Release

H1N1 FLU VACCINE TO BE MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE IN DELAWARE OVER NEXT FEW WEEKS

As Delaware continues to see cases of H1N1 flu occur throughout the state, many residents are asking when and where they might have the opportunity to receive an H1N1 vaccination, which is the best way to avoid the flu. Vaccine is being received on a week-by-week basis from the federal government, but the current plan is as follows:

• For pregnant women, H1N1 vaccine should be available at participating OB-GYN offices by the week of October 19. Pregnant women should check with their OB-GYN regarding availability and ask for their doctor to provide the vaccine if they had not planned to make it available.
• For children and young people up to age 24 as well as adults with chronic health conditions and those who live or work with children under 6 months of age, vaccine should be available at participating pediatricians and family physicians offices by the week of October 26.
• In November, we expect H1N1 vaccine to be more widely available, including in schools, at colleges, in pharmacies, and at some public health clinics.

Because of limited quantities, H1N1 vaccine is initially reserved for those in the target groups most susceptible to H1N1 virus: pregnant women; children and young people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old; people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age; healthcare and emergency medical personnel; and people age 25 through 64 years with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Eventually, once enough vaccine is available, the H1N1 vaccine is expected to be made available to anyone who wants to receive the vaccine. Flu season runs through May, so DPH will urge residents to be vaccinated for H1N1 some months to come. Note that the H1N1 vaccine is comparable to the seasonal flu vaccine in safety and effectiveness.

Seasonal flu vaccine is currently available from many medical offices, at pharmacies and at public health clinics. The schedule for those clinics can be found at www.flu.delaware.gov.

H1N1 is shown to affect people much like the seasonal flu virus. Most cases of H1N1 flu, like seasonal flu consist of symptoms that can be treated with rest or recovery. However, either flu can be very serious. Emergency medical care is only necessary if the following symptoms are seen.

Severe illness warning signs in children are:

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing;
• Bluish skin color;
• Not drinking enough fluids;
• Not waking up or not interacting;
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held;
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough; or
• Fever with a rash.

Severe illness warning signs in adults are:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath;
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen;
• Sudden dizziness;
• Confusion; or
• Severe or persistent vomiting.

The www.flu.delaware.gov.website contains a wealth of information and tips regarding the flu, as does the federal government flu website at at www.flu.gov.

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.