Article published November 03, 2009
H1N1 vaccine reaches Ohio at faster pace
389,500 doses to arrive at local boards of health
Claire Morgan, 10, of Temperance braces as volunteer Sarah Ashman prepares a swine flu vaccine. Claire's mother, Sue, and brother, Donovan, joined her at Bedford High School.
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THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT
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By JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF
COLUMBUS - The pace at which vaccines for the swine flu virus is reaching Ohio is picking up, with the state's latest allotment of 389,500 expected to begin arriving at local boards of health as early as Tuesday.
Counting the latest order, the state has received 984,700 doses of vaccine, which is increasing but still well below numbers initially promised by manufacturers.
"We've been ordering our full allotment as it becomes available,'' said state Health Department spokesman Kristopher Weiss.
The first batch of 61,500 vaccines received in early October was delivered to the state, repackaged, and then sent to local providers. Since then, Ohio has asked the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship directly to the 289 local health departments.
| BY THE NUMBERS |
Ohio's latest allotment of the swine flu vaccine is 389,500 doses. They are expected to begin arriving at local boards of health as early as today.
• Counting the latest order, the state has received a total of 984,700 doses of vaccine.
• The first batch of 61,500 vaccines received in early October was delivered to the state, repackaged, and then sent to local providers. Since then, Ohio has asked the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ship directly to the 289 local health departments.
• Of the 389,500 latest doses, 22,900 are headed to Lucas County.
• The Michigan Department of Community Health reported that, of the 999,200 H1N1 vaccine doses that the CDC has so far allocated to the state, 765,300 have been ordered.
• Last week, nearly 60,000 flu-like cases were reported in Michigan.
• Michigan said 17 people died in the state from the swine flu in the past two months, and 400 were hospitalized. |
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"We always knew this was going to be difficult," Mr. Weiss said. "… Manufacturers are working to distribute a new vaccine at the same as the seasonal flu vaccine. Frankly, we think everyone has done a tremendous job under the circumstances. We commend the people who've waited in lines and dealt with their frustrations without being disruptive."
Of the 389,500 latest doses, 22,900 are headed to Lucas County, and 2,500 to Wood County.Dr. David Grossman, Toledo-Lucas County health commissioner, participated in inoculation clinics at Maumee elementary schools yesterday. While demand continues to outpace supply in the general population, he noted that just 50 to 60 percent of stu-dents are receiving the vaccine. He urged reluctant parents to change their minds.
"This is a safe, effective vaccine," he said. "This is a disease that is charting high with illness and death among young people."
As of Friday, the CDC reported widespread swine flu, or H1N1, activity in every state except North Carolina and Hawaii and has predicted that one in three Americans may eventually become infected. Nineteen confirmed deaths of children alone from the virus were reported last week nationally for a total of 114 since April 26.
Ohio has reported 17 deaths, three of them children. There have been 1,452 flu-related hospitalizations, the vast majority presumed to be swine flu because the seasonal flu is only now believed to be taking hold.
The Michigan Department of Community Health reported that, of the 999,200 H1N1 vaccine doses that the CDC has so far allocated to the state, 765,300 have been ordered.
The department, however, said it does not have reports back from local health departments as to how many have actually made their way into patients' noses or arms.
Last week, almost 60,000 flu-like cases were reported in Michigan.
"The numbers overall that we've seen of influenza at this time are much, much higher than you would normally see," said Dr. Greg Holzman, chief medical executive for the department. "These are numbers you might see at the peak of bad flu season."
Michigan officials said 17 people died in the state from the swine flu in the past two months, and almost 400 were hospitalized.
Most of those who died from H1N1 complications had underlying health problems. They ranged in age from 27 to 72, though the state also is investigating the death of a 7-month-old.
The swine flu vaccine continues to be targeted first to those deemed at most risk. This includes health-care and emergency medical personnel on the front lines of treating the illness, pregnant women, people who care for children under the age of 6 months, everyone between the ages of 6 months and 24 years, and those between the ages of 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions.
Mr. Weiss noted local health departments or vaccination clinics may focus on a smaller grouping of these priorities based on need and available vaccine supplies.
The latest Ohio order consists of 60,800 doses of nasal spray and 328,700 syringe doses. The nasal spray contains a weakened live version of the virus and is not recommended for high-risk individuals, including pregnant women. The injection form contains a dead virus designed to trigger an immune response.
Contact Jim Provance at:
jprovance@theblade.com
or 614-221-0496.
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