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Wait continues for swine flu vaccine

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The delay in receiving H1N1 vaccinations is not limited to Highlands County but is a nationwide hold up.

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By AIYANA BAIDA

Highlands Today

Published: October 22, 2009

SEBRING - The Highlands County Health Department continues to wait for more shipments of the swine flu vaccines to open a vaccination clinic for residents. The first batches of the vaccines have been delivered to local pediatricians and obstetricians for children and pregnant women who are at higher risk for complications.

"We need to have enough to open a point of distribution or a clinic. With a small amount it's not feasible to do that," said Tom Moran, Highlands County Health Department planning consultant.

The delay in receiving H1N1 vaccinations is not limited to Highlands County but is a nationwide hold up. The Centers for Disease Control said in a briefing last Friday the manufacturers are experiencing delays in the production of the expected number of vaccines.

The Highlands County Health Department made its orders in the beginning of October for the full amount allotted to the county, said Moran.

Some vaccines are being set aside for healthcare workers, emergency personnel and first responders.

Llelwyn Grant, CDC spokesperson, said there are about 12.8 million doses of H1N1 vaccines available and 10.8 have been ordered by the states.

"We anticipate the manufacturer will produce 100 million doses this season with the capacity to produce 150 million more," Grant said.

The distribution of H1N1 vaccines are based on availability.

"We recognize that people are expressing concern about the vaccines ... the production of these vaccines is a complicated process," Grant added.
Florida Hospital has treated patients for swine flu on a regular basis but has not seen any serious cases develop.
Lung infection and swelling, known as diffused pneumonia, are rare complications associated with swine flu. The patients at higher risk of developing these complications include younger patients and pregnant women.

Dr. Cary Pigman, medical director for emergency services at Florida Hospital, said the medical community does not know the exact cause for the lung infection in swine flu patients but signs of this include: worsening cough, worsening shortness of breath, bluish color to the skin indicating low oxygen level in the blood.

According to the CDC's latest update people experiencing flu-like symptoms are more likely infected with H1N1.

During the week of Oct. 4 through Oct. 9, 61.4 percent of those tested for influenza, tested positive for the swine flu.

"If someone has flu-like symptoms it's more likely to be the swine flu. That's just what's circulating now," Meredith Lutz, director of infection control at Florida Hospital, said.

They are no set dates but the county's health department is working with Highlands County School Board to schedule clinic dates.

"We don't have any concrete information on how many vaccines are coming in, but they assured us that they'll get here," Moran said.

Highlands Today reporter Aiyana Baida can be reached at 863-386-5855 or nbaida@highlandstoday.com

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