The initial shipment consisted of the nasal spray vaccination, and is being administered to young students who have been given their parents’ permission to receive the vaccine.
On Monday, Oct. 26, health department staff visited one last school, exhausting the current supply of vaccine. “We hope to get more vaccine this week,” said Dr. David Goodfriend, director of the Loudoun County Health Department. Dr. Goodfriend noted that as reported, the shortage of the vaccine is real. Only 11-12 million doses of the vaccine have been produced, out of the 100 million doses expected to be available by this time.
Dr. Goodfriend also noted that pregnant women, who must have the injected (not mist) vaccine, should get inoculated as soon as possible, either by the health department when the vaccine is available, or by their doctor.
Goodfriend stressed the importance of pregnant women getting seasonal influenza vaccinations each year, since in their condition, “Their immune systems are not as strong, and in general, they have a harder time fighting off lung infections.” The presence of H1N1 “swine flu” this year makes vaccination of pregnant women that much more important.
Hospital limits visitor hours, access
In response to the spread of the disease, Inova Loudoun has put in place restrictions on visitors to the hospital:
* Visiting hours are limited to 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and only two people may visit a patient at a time.
* No one under 18 years of age or exhibiting any symptoms of influenza will be permitted in the hospital.
· * Visitors may be required to wear face masks or other protective clothing when entering certain high-risk areas of the hospital. Visitors who do not wear this protective clothing in accordance with instructions will be asked to leave.
· * In all Women’s Units (including Labor and Delivery, Family-Centered Care and Post-Partum) the following restrictions apply: Visitors to women in OB units are limited to one person, who must be either a spouse or significant other (boyfriend/girlfriend). If the patient has neither a spouse nor a significant other, a designated “support person” may visit instead. The visiting hours spelled out above do not apply to this spouse/significant other/support person.
· * In addition, all maternity and pre-surgical tours have been cancelled during flu season.
Exemptions to these restrictions may be granted by the hospital's Patient Care Director, according to Renee' Brohard, Inova Loudoun's Public Relations Consultant.
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Not sure if I'm in the minority here but it is impossible to find H1N1 vaccines in the county. My son goes to a small private school in Reston (which did not get any vaccine, public school kids in both counties did) and both my wife I, both healthy but with chronic ailments, have been unable to get the vaccine anywhere (we did get our regular flu shots several weeks ago).
Now for the kicker. Every one of our friends in Fairfax and their children all got H1N1 vaccinations through the county with little to no wait. Are others having this issue?