Thursday, September 2, 2010 | DeKalb County's Oldest Newspaper

DeKalb out of swine flu vaccine By Mark Harrison The Times-Journal Published October 30, 2009 DeKalb County’s supply of swine flu vaccine was gone about as quickly as it was received. Patsy Rains, clinic director with the DeKalb County Health Department, said 943 doses of H1N1 vaccine were given to the public during recent clinics this week. She said the health department is now out of vaccine and, though more is coming, it’s still uncertain as to when it may arrive. Alabama and the national are experiencing significant delays in the amount of swine influenza vaccine received. Vaccine supply is short for both private providers and health departments. Rains said the health department received 800 doses for the recent clinics, but because children under 3 receive a half dose, this allowed more people to receive shots. Dr. Jim McVay, a spokesperson for the Alabama Department of Public Health, said production of the vaccine is progressing slower than expected, but the state is still on track to get 2.8 million doses. He said it was originally projected the state would get 600,000 by the end of October. It now appears that number will be only around 130,000. He said, as a result, it’s possible more people could get swine flu, which has already killed 17 people in Alabama. He said it could now be January before there is a sufficient amount of vaccine available to give to the estimated 900,000 children and teachers in Alabama’s public and private schools, including those in Fort Payne City and DeKalb County. McVay said small quantities would continue to progressively be shipped into the area, and he expects the health department will receive more doses, but he isn’t sure when. Share | Save | Mail | Print

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