Chattanooga Pulse

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department continues to receive shipments of and make appointments for 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Because vaccine supplies and shipments remain steady, the Health Department is now offering the vaccine to all CDC-defined target groups which include:

• Pregnant women
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years with chronic medical conditions
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age

Because of this increased supply of vaccine, the Health Department is now able to offer vaccine to an expanded group of people. Specifically added to the group eligible to receive vaccine are 19 year olds through 64 year olds with chronic medical conditions.

Since local supplies of H1N1 FluMist are greater than H1N1 injectable vaccine, persons medically eligible for FluMist will be given the FluMist formulation. “Giving the FluMist formulation to all who are medically eligible will maximize our capacity and allow a greater number of people to be protected,” says Becky Barnes, Health Department Administrator.

“As soon as vaccine supplies become widely available, opportunity for vaccination will be available to all,” Barnes continues. Additionally, as long as the Health Department continues to have ample supply of FluMist, it will be available to all healthy, non-pregnant individuals between the ages of 2 and 49.

For the latest information on H1N1 vaccine availability through the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, residents should visit the Health Department’s website, health.hamiltontn.org. Persons may also call the Health Department’s hotline for Health Department vaccine supply information at 209-8393. In addition, a number of area medical providers have received shipments of H1N1 vaccine. Residents are encouraged to check with their medical provider to determine if they have vaccine.

Appointments for vaccine administered by the Health Department can be made for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine by calling the Health Department hotline at 209-8393. Hotline operating hours are from 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. The H1N1 flu vaccine is provided at no charge.