The first targeted community clinics are doling out vaccinations against the swine flu today and tomorrow, catering to specific high-risk groups.
Approximately 5,000 doses will be given out free of charge at each of the scheduled clinics. Public Health Madison & Dane County will administer the vaccines in both injection and nasal spray form to people deemed “high risk.”
Each of the clinics will cater to different target groups. Today’s clinic will vaccinate pregnant women, children 6 to 23 months old and children 5 to 18 years old with underlying health conditions. Wednesday’s will see children 24 to 59 months old, individuals living with children under 6 months and childcare providers of children under six months old.
Vaccination shipments across the country have been delayed due to production issues and a large demand, according to PHMDC spokesperson Jeff Golden.
“There’s been a terrible scarcity; all of our plans were based on the assumption that there would be a shortage. Production slowed and they simply weren’t there in sufficient quantities,” Golden said. “But with the modest inventory we have, we are now able to do these clinics.”
These clinics place a focus strictly on individuals deemed to belong to a high-risk group and more specifically to those whose healthcare providers have not already contacted them regarding vaccination, the statement said.
Individuals who feel they may belong to a high-risk group should contact their healthcare provider first, Golden said. The clinics will administer a screening process to judge whether applicants will receive the vaccination.
“If someone is not in a risk group and they seek it, they are taking it away from someone in those groups,” Golden said. “Otherwise we’re relying on the honor system and we will err on the side of caution.”
Currently, the University of Wisconsin offers H1N1 vaccinations to pregnant women, childcare providers, healthcare and emergency services personnel, and individuals under the age of 18 with chronic medical conditions that may put them at a higher risk.
This process is in line with guidelines set by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, according to the University Health Services website.
Executive Director of UHS Sarah Van Orman said UHS will soon be notifying students with underlying illnesses about the availability of vaccinations.
“We’ve given close to 1,200 vaccinations to eligible students already, but quite frankly I’m most concerned that delays in getting the vaccines has lessened the interest in receiving them,” Van Orman said.
She added free seasonal flu shots are still available for all students at UHS, but with the limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine, UHS has no intention to open vaccinations to the wider student population.
The PHMDC vaccination clinics are being held today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall of the Alliant Energy Center. Questions regarding the clinics should be directed to the PHMDC Flu Info Line at (608) 243-0555.