The first doses of the H1N1 influenza vaccine arrived earlier this week in South Heartland Health District (Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster Counties) and are being distributed to area health care providers in all 4 counties according to Executive Director Michele Bever of the South Heartland District Health Department. All of the vaccine in the first shipment is the nasal spray form.

“Our goal is to make sure the vaccine is available to everyone who needs it,” Dr. Bever said. “The H1N1 vaccine is the most effective protection against the new 2009 H1N1 flu virus.”

The first shipment of H1N1 vaccine is being distributed to area health care providers who requested the flu mist form of the vaccine for their patients or staff in the priority groups. “Not all priority groups can get the flu mist,” said Dr. Bever, “but we are anticipating the arrival of the inactivated vaccine (H1N1 flu shot) in some of the next shipments.” The Health Department is expecting vaccine shipments on a weekly basis.

Dr. Ken Zoucha, of Children and Adolescent Clinic in Hastings, said that their office requested the H1N1 flu mist vaccine for their staff, which are included in the health care personnel priority group, and for their young patients aged 24 months through 24 years – another priority group. The clinic has also requested the H1N1 injectable vaccine for their patients aged 6 months to 24 months and other patients in high risk groups. Dr. Zoucha learned on Tuesday that his clinic would be receiving a portion of their requested flu mist doses this week.

“As more vaccine arrives for the South Heartland area, we will continue to pass it on to health care providers that serve the priority groups,” Dr. Bever said. “We will also begin to schedule some vaccination clinics. Eventually the vaccine will be available to everybody who wants it.” Bever said that the Health Department will provide updates as the vaccine arrives and as clinics are scheduled.