Health Alert
ORDER TO CONTROL INFLUENZA VACCINATION

WHEREAS INFLUENZA IS DANGEROUS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH, AND

WHEREAS THE NATION AND DELAWARE ARE EXPERIENCING AN ACUTE SHORTAGE OF INFLUENZA VACCINE THAT COULD LEAD TO AN EPIDEMIC OF INFLUENZA WITHIN A MATTER OF WEEKS OR MONTHS,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, pursuant to Title 16, Section 122 of Delaware Code, Health and Safety THAT ALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN DELAWARE SHALL LIMIT INFLUENZA VACCINATION TO PERSONS IN HIGH RISK CATEGORIES. Health care providers shall refrain from vaccinating healthy individuals not at high risk of serious illness or death from influenza.

For purposes of this order:

"Health care provider" means any person authorized under the laws of Delaware to administer influenza vaccinations.

"High risk categories" means:

1. all children aged 6-23 months;
2. adults aged 65 years or older
3. person aged 2-64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions;
4. all women who will be pregnant during influenza season;
5. resident of nursing homes and long-term care facilities;
6. children aged 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy;
7. health care workers involved in direct patient care; and
8. out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged <6 months.

This order is issued due to a shortage of vaccine within the State of Delaware. Chiron Corporation has notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that none of its influenza vaccine will be available for distribution in the United States for  the 2004-2005 influenza season. This development will reduce by approximately one half the expected supply of influenza vaccine available in the United States for the 2004-2005 influenza season.

It is further ordered that health care providers and others that possess influenza vaccine cooperate with the Division of Public Health to assess vaccine supply and coordinate vaccination of persons in high risk categories.

It is further ordered that health care providers prominently post this Order to Control Influenza Vaccination in locations where influenza vaccination is administered.

This order shall take effect immediately.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Vincent P. Meconi     October 21, 2004
VINCENT P. MECONI, SECRETARY     DATE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

For additional information on this Order, please call (302) 744-4700.