WRTA Member: Passport Health - Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccine Arrives

Health Departments, Hospitals Begin Mass Immunizations

Baltimore- 10/20/09- The Swine Flu (H1N1)Vaccine is starting to arrive at health departments, hospitals, and community vaccinator facilities.

However, only 87 million doses out of the projected 114 million have been shipped thus far. “Demand for both the seasonal flu shot and the swine flu shot are quite high,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the largest private provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S. “As community vaccinators we keep getting calls from people who are interested and can’t get the vaccine from their doctor or do not want to spend hours in line at a health department,” continued Lessans. “The reality is that the supply of Swine Flu (H1N1) Vaccine is trickling down slowly and only those in the high risk categories are eligible so far.”

Passport Health operates a 24/7 Vaccine Hotline for the Department of Defense and pharmaceutical companies, provides on-site flu clinics and administers antiviral programs for corporations.

The availability of vaccine varies from state to state and from county to county. According to the CDC, the highest risk individuals who should receive the swine flu (H1N1) vaccine are:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.
• Healthcare and emergency medical personnel.
• Those between 6 months and 24 years.
• People 25 through 64 years with chronic health issues

Officials of the National Institutes of Health say that in clinical trials they've seen no serious side effects and that study subjects who have been immunized have generated a “good response.”

Several states have received shipments of the swine flu vaccine, although not as many doses as they were expecting. Regarding the seasonal flu shot, Lessans stated that demand is very high and people have been interested in receiving it earlier than usual. “There have been distribution problems and delivery dates have been pushed back,” commented Lessans. CDC officials stated late last week that 77 million doses have been distributed to the private and public sectors as of the first week of October. Manufacturers are expecting to bring a total of 118 million doses to market in the next few months.

“Passport Health will be administering the H1N1 vaccine as it becomes available.” Those interested should call their local Passport Health at 1-888-499.PASS(7277) or visit www.passporthealthusa.com.

Jorge.castillo
410-727-0556