Published Saturday, October 31, 2009 12:22 AM

Many await H1N1 shot

By MAGGIE KIELY
maggie.kiely@theeagle.com

Some Brazos County residents have been vaccinated for the swine flu, but most residents are still waiting.

The H1N1 vaccines are being manufactured at the federal level and distributed through states to county health departments. H1N1 is a strain of flu discovered in April and is not included in the seasonal flu vaccine.

A limited supply of the vaccine was delivered to the Brazos County Health Department, said department spokeswoman Sara Mendez, but not enough to cover everyone in the priority groups outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She said she hopes to receive another shipment within the next week or so.

"We're out now," she said. "We're hoping each week we'll get a small shipment, but we're not sure right now."

The health department administered about 500 doses of the vaccine to Bryan-College Station residents who were among the priority groups, Mendez said. She said she knows some local providers have received small shipments as well, but said she didn't know which ones.

Children and those up to 24 years of age, people caring for infants under 6 months old, pregnant women and health care workers have been identified by the government as high-risk groups that should get the vaccine before everyone else.

Lindsey Joy, a spokeswoman for Scott & White, said the College Station clinic has received a limited supply of the vaccine.

"Our physicians will determine the highest at-risk patients based on the CDC's guidelines," she said. "The highest at-risk patients will be contacted to set up an appointment to get the vaccination."

At St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan, the H1N1 vaccine is still being administered only internally, said spokesman Tim Ottinger.

"We have just enough now to start covering all of our patient care staff," he said. "Given the way the supply's coming in, it's impossible to know if or when we're able to offer a public clinic."

College Station Medical Center is in the same situation, said spokeswoman Melissa Purl. The hospital has received a limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine, but not enough to offer it to the public, she said.

"It's enough to vaccinate our health care givers," she said. "We give it internally first so we can stay on our feet and be well for you."

Purl said she did not know when The Med expected to receive more of the vaccine.

"They're making it as fast as they can," she said.

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