Published: November 03, 2009 10:03 pm      

Statewide H1N1 vaccination blitz planned

OKLAHOMA CITY — State Health officials are planning a statewide H1N1 influenza vaccination effort Saturday for Oklahomans who fall into one of the priority groups targeted to receive the vaccine.

“We recognize that many Oklahomans are trying to obtain the H1N1 vaccine to protect their children or themselves from this new strain of flu. Although the amount of vaccine that our state has received so far is not enough to meet the demand, our goal is to deliver as many vaccinations as possible Nov. 7,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley. “The H1N1 flu virus continues to strike children and pregnant women particularly hard. We encourage people included in the priority groups to continue to seek a vaccination.”

Priority groups for the H1N1 vaccine now include all children ages six months to 18 years, pregnant women, custodial parents of infants less than six months of age, front-line health care workers who have direct patient contact with acutely ill persons, and adults 19 – 64 years of age with chronic disease.

Clinics will be held at multiple locations statewide Saturday, November 7, 2009 for the vaccine priority groups. The time and location of these clinics will be announced later in the week. People seeking vaccinations will be screened to ensure that they meet the priority group definition for H1N1 vaccine.

An additional 93,100 doses of the novel H1N1 influenza vaccine is arriving in the state. The doses include both nasal spray and injectable vaccines. The Oklahoma State Department of Health is projected to receive H1N1 vaccine in weekly shipments through early January 2010.

In addition to providing vaccine through regularly scheduled clinics, county health departments will begin to distribute vaccine to certain private providers with an emphasis on practices that serve children.

For more information about the availability of H1N1 influenza vaccine in your area, call your local county health department or visit www.health.ok.gov, or call the Oklahoma State Department of Health toll-free H1N1 hotline at: 1-866-278-7134. Phones are answered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.