Second group of at-risk populations now eligible for H1N1 vaccine

Toll-free 211 line now has information about vaccine clinics and other H1N1-related topics

More H1N1 vaccine has become available, so the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has expanded the state's H1N1 vaccination program. The following higher-risk groups are now eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine:

• People caring for or living with infants younger than 6 months old, including parents, siblings, and daycare providers.
• Partners of pregnant women.
• All children 6 months to 4 years old.
• People 18-24 years old with underlying medical conditions.

"First-tier" groups still eligible

People in the first tier of eligibles who haven't yet been vaccinated can still receive the vaccine:

• Health care workers and first responders with direct patient contact.
• Pregnant women.
• Children 6 months to 18 years old with chronic medical conditions.

Officials expect enough vaccine for the third-tier higher-risk group--adults 25-64 with chronic health conditions--to arrive in the state sometime before the end of the year.

No one will be charged for an H1N1 flu vaccination, including people without health insurance and those whose insurance requires deductibles or co-pays.

Where to go for a vaccination

Children and pregnant women should get their H1N1 flu shots from their doctors, but health officials are asking adults to visit public, appointment-only clinics, which will be scheduled throughout the state beginning next week.

For information about the public clinics, call the state's toll-free help line: 211.

Clinics for healthy populations later this year or early 2010

State Public Health Director Dr. Jose Montero asks healthy adults seeking vaccine to be patient. "More than half the New Hampshire population falls into one of the risk groups," he says. "We have a duty to protect them first."

Montero says that the state may receive enough H1N1 vaccine to begin holding clinics for healthy adults at colleges and in other community settings later this year or early in 2010.

CDC oversees H1N1 vaccine production and distribution

The federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) oversees distribution of the H1N1 vaccine. The agency distributes vaccines to the states based solely on population.

Ethical guidelines drafted by federal and state public health agencies determine the order of priority for receiving the H1N1 vaccine, whose distribution has been hampered by production problems and other delays.

Seasonal flu vaccine: supply may not stretch to cover everyone who wants it

Unlike distribution of the H1N1 vaccine, controlled by the CDC, hospitals, clinics and other providers order supplies of seasonal vaccine directly from the manufacturers. This year, demand has outpaced supply.

"Supplies of seasonal flu vaccine will keep arriving throughout November into December," Montero says. People seeking a seasonal flu shot should "try to connect with your private provider" or a local site (pharmacy, malls, visiting nurse associations) that typically offers seasonal vaccinations.

Consumers should check state's list of seasonal vaccine providers. The statewide 211 help line will also offer information on availability of either seasonal or H1N1 vaccine, though information about supplies of H1N1 vaccine will not be available until late November.

Ultimately though, Montero says, "there may not be enough seasonal vaccine for everyone who wants to be vaccinated."

Call 211 with questions

The statewide, toll-free 2-1-1 New Hampshire help line is open to direct callers all the health and human services available to them.

Learn more

N.H. Department of Health and Human Services H5N1 information Links to N.H.-specific and other information resources.

Know what to do about the flu
Official federal government pandemic influenza Information.

Differences between seasonal flu and pandemic flu Learn the important differences between the "new" pandemic influenza strain and the "seasonal" flu that comes around every winter.

Simple things you can do to protect yourself and your family Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's basic guidance on preventing both season and pandemic influenza.

Official guidance for individuals and families Information and planning checklists useful for pandemic planning from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Stockpiling essentials for a pandemic Planning for an extended stay at home, in case of essential-services disruptions, when store supplies might become short, or during periods of voluntary "social distancing" as a flu-prevention strategy.

What to do if you get flu symptoms Learn how to take care of yourself if you come down with the flu.

Special guidance for pregnant women Because pregnant women are more susceptible to regular flu than others, officials urge them to take special precautions to prevent contracting the new H1N1 flu. Experts don't know if pregnant women will have serious problems with H1N1 or how the new virus might affect the baby.

H1N1 guidance for specific groups CDC guidance for vulnerable or at-risk populations, teachers, caregivers, clinicians and others.

Talk to your children about the flu The barrage of media attention on the new H1N1 flu is bound to increase as flu season approaches. Children may receive misinformation, and peers can magnify their fears. They need special reassurance from adults.

Caring for a sick person in your home Familiarize yourself with this information before you need it.

Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy The Pandemic Influenza pages of this University of Minnesota center help you stay current on the latest science-based news and information about pandemic influenza.

Personal Pandemic Preparedness Resource List Excellent list of science-based sources of flu preparedness information.

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