More H1N1 vaccine available; clinics set

Anyone over 6 months months old can now get an H1N1 vaccine free of charge in Calaveras County.

The Public Health Department enters the second phase of its vaccination program today, and with 4,500 doses on hand, it can now make the flu vaccine available to all those of age who are interested.
 

At least 2,000 doses of the vaccine will be available at two upcoming community clinics in San Andreas and Valley Springs. Vaccines are also available at the department’s regularly scheduled immunization clinics and from local primary care doctors, said Dr. Dean Kelaita, county health officer.

The department also will visit local elementary schools to administer the second round of doses to children younger than 10, he said.

The department is hoping for good attendance at the two specially scheduled community clinics, Kelaita said.

The one previous clinic, on Nov. 21, had more than 30 people on hand to administer vaccines and was prepared to serve up to 3,000 people, but only 500 showed up.

 “People were just walking right through,” he said.

While the upcoming clinics may not be so highly staffed, no lines are anticipated and wheelchairs will be on hand for those needing to sit down if there is a wait, Kelaita said.

The department believes misconceptions about the vaccine was one cause of the low turnout.

Kelaita emphasized that the vaccine was tested and prepared the same way as the seasonal vaccine. It represents only a new strain, not a new virus, and a national reporting system that tracks patients’ adverse reactions has found no risks, he said.

“So far, nothing is showing up,” he said.

Pregnant women have also expressed concern about the effect of the vaccine on their unborn children. Kelaita said there is no danger and that vaccinations are highly recommended, as pregnancy increases the risk of death from H1N1 flu five-fold.

Others have expressed concern to the department that the vaccine contains a live virus.

In fact, there are two forms of the vaccine: a nasal spray, which contains a weakened live flu virus, and a shot, which contains an inactive form of the virus.

The nasal spray is offered to people between 2 and 50 years old who have no serious medical conditions. Anyone can request to take the shot instead, Kelaita said.

Though the H1N1 is widespread in California, with more than 5,000 hospitalizations and 297 deaths, the strain has had very limited effects in Calaveras County.

To date, there have been no deaths from the virus in the county and only four hospitalizations — which has replaced confirmed cases as the department’s measure of the flu’s severity in the region.

“We went from testing basically anyone we thought might have it who was sick to only those who are hospitalized,”

Given the traditional flu season is from January through April, all cases of the flu thus far this year have been H1N1, said Kelaita. He estimates there have been hundreds.

Community Clinics for the H1N1 Vaccine

    • 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, Good Samaritan Community Covenant Church, 4684 Baldwin Street, Valley Springs
    • Noon to 3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18, San Andreas Central Library, 1299 Gold Hunter Road, San Andreas