Flu vaccine demand outstrips supply
GREENSBORO — Guilford County has turned thousands away as demand for the H1N1, or swine flu, vaccine continues to outpace supply, health officials said Thursday.
Meanwhile, Moses Cone Health System reports a drop in the number of people appearing at its emergency and acute care departments with flulike symptoms.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that North Carolina has received 190,100 doses out of nearly 5.9 million doses shipped nationwide through Oct. 14, the most recent data available.
The Guilford County Department of Public Health has requested enough vaccine for everyone in the county, said Steve Ramsey , health preparedness director.
“But at this time, quantities are limited,” he said Thursday during a news conference.
Appointments for H1N1 vaccinations are booked through mid-November for the doses the department has on hand so far, Ramsey said. The health department has received 3,700 doses since the first shipments arrived in states two weeks ago .
The department did not receive a shipment this week, but 5,100 doses were sent directly to about 40 health care providers, Ramsey said. That’s about half the providers who are approved to receive direct shipments.
Meanwhile, Dawn Martin , a spokeswoman for Moses Cone, reported the first drop in visits to the hospital for patients complaining of flulike symptoms. The daily average dropped from 206 to 184, she said.
Martin also said the hospital system has started mandatory vaccinations for employees.
On the seasonal flu front, the health department has run out of adult vaccine, but expects to receive about 700 doses before Nov. 6 , said spokeswoman Lynne Beck.
Vaccine is still available for children 6 months to 18 years old, and the health department is continuing to take appointments for those, she said.
“As you can imagine, we have been getting lots and lots of phone calls,” she said.
The health department has set up a blog moderated by county Medical Director Ward Robinson, to answer flu-related questions: at www.askguilfordhealth.com .
As of Oct. 16 , more than 2,300 students in Guilford County Schools had been absent due to fever and flulike symptoms since school started, district officials said Thursday .
Contact Jennifer Fernandez at 373-7064 or jennifer.fernandez@news-record.com
Flu roundup
Here’s an update on the H1N1 and seasonal flu situation in Triad-area counties:
Rockingham
The health department ran out of H1N1 vaccine Wednesday but is still taking information for anyone interested in getting vaccinated when more supplies arrive. More than 3,600 children in Rockingham County elementary schools are expected to be vaccinated for seasonal flu in school-based clinics that started Monday and end early next week, Health Director Glenn Martin said.
Randolph
The health department has run out of both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine. For updates, check the “community health” link at www.co.randolph.nc.us/public_health or call 318-6358.
Alamance
The health department has already filled up appointments for Friday for a limited number of H1N1 vaccinations, spokesman Eric Nickens said. A limited amount of seasonal flu is available for high-risk groups: children under 5 years old, adults 65 or older, or anyone with underlying health issues. For updates, check www.alamanceflu.com or call 570-4161 and press 2.
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