First Shipment of State H1N1 Vaccine Reaches Loudoun

The first shipment of H1N1 “swine flu” vaccine has arrived in Loudoun County, and according to Dr. David Goodfriend, people in the groups as identified as high risk are being notified and treated.

The vaccine shipment – which Goodfriend notes is in the nasal mist form, is being given first to Loudoun EMT workers, medical professionals, persons with underlying health issues, pregnant women and infants.

On Friday, health department personnel visited two elementary schools to administer the vaccine to children who had gotten their parents’ permission. “It is our goal to reach all of the high risk people,” said Goodfriend. The swine flu affects children particularly hard.

In addition to the shipment received by the county health department, Goodfriend believes that individual physicians who registered for the vaccine earlier should be receiving their shipments as well.

Goodfriend realizes that the national inoculation program is not without controversy.

“People have the choice to receive the vaccine, or not,” he explained. “It’s an individual decision. But the Center for Disease Control is pushing us to get it to public.”

While the initial shipment is being targeted for people in the high-risk groups, subsequent shipments will be provided for others who want it. “Some people will want the mist, while others prefer an injection,” said Goodfriend. “We will try to honor their requests, but we may not always have both forms of the vaccine. But both work well.”

Goodfriend added that the nasal mist form of the vaccine is usually not given to persons over the age of 50.

With all of the focus on H1N1 flu, Goodfriend strongly advises the public to be inoculated against the seasonal flu as well – an effort backed by many physicians and health care providers like Kaiser-Permanente. “Seasonal flu can be a killer,” he concluded.

State Launches "H1N1Get1" Campaign

On Thursday, the Virginia Department of Health  kicked off its statewide media campaign and vaccination program for the H1N1 flu virus, vaccinating several members of the designated priority groups and unveiling a broad public awareness program designed to encourage Virginians to get vaccinated against the potentially lethal strain of flu.

Dr. Karen Remley, Virginia’s health commissioner, received one of the first vaccines at an event held at Virginia Commonwealth University’s medical campus. Dr. Remley, who has asthma, fits into one of the priority group categories –an adult with a chronic, underlying health condition.

“The first doses of the vaccine are now available in Virginia,” Dr. Remley said. “However, while we are confident that we will have a sufficient amount for every Virginian who wants a vaccine to get one, we are asking those in the priority groups to be first in line to get protected against this highly contagious flu strain.”

As part of its campaign to urge citizens to get the vaccination, VDH has started a media campaign, which will include public service television and radio spots, transit, Internet-based and cinema advertising. The campaign carries the theme, “H1N1Get1. It’s up to you to fight the flu.”

A special Web site, www.H1N1Get1.com also has been set up to provide up-to-date information about the virus and the places where vaccinations are available throughout the Commonwealth. Information also is available by calling 1.877.ASK.VDH3.