H1N1 Vaccine Demand Greater Than Local, National Supply
Those not in H1N1 priority groups asked to wait for vaccine; some county vaccine clinics may be forced to close early

LOS ANGELES - The demand for H1N1 vaccine in Los Angeles County is currently exceeding local and national supplies, which is impacting some Public Health-run vaccine clinics. To ensure equitable availability of the limited vaccine supply throughout the county, screening for priority groups will be intensified. Vaccine clinics that reach capacity before posted closing hours will be forced to close early.

Based on Public Health's experience with heavy demand for H1N1 vaccine here in LA County, we will be employing more thorough screening to ensure that those individuals who are in the CDC-designated priority groups are better served, said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director and Health Officer. If you are 25 to 64 without underlying health problems or if you are 65 or older, and if you do not care for an infant under 6 months of age, you are not in a priority group for the limited H1N1 vaccine and you will be asked to defer vaccination until H1N1 vaccine becomes more widely available.

Individuals who plan to go to a Public Health H1N1 vaccine clinic are encouraged to review the vaccination form, available in several different languages, and found on the Public Health website at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov. Those who are in a priority group for H1N1 vaccine should bring a completed vaccine form with them to a vaccine clinic. Those who are not in an H1N1 priority group will have to wait for a future date to receive vaccine.

Screening questions include:

Date of birth?

Do you have any of the following conditions?

Asthma

Heart, lung, kidney, liver or neurological disease

Cancer

Diabetes

Blood Disorder

Compromised immune system

Are you pregnant or do you think you may be pregnant?

Do you take care of or live in a household with a child less than 6 months of age?

Priority groups for H1N1 vaccine are:

Pregnant women

People who live with or care for infants under six months of age,

Healthcare and emergency services personnel,

Young people aged six months to 24 years of age,

People aged 25 through 64 years of age who have health conditions that put them at higher risk for flu-related complications.

Vaccine will be distributed through private health care providers, doctor's offices, community clinics, and some chain pharmacies, as soon as it arrives from the manufacturer into LA County. If you have health insurance and your doctor does not yet have H1N1 vaccine, check back with your doctor or your health care plan in the coming weeks.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and has an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit www.publichealth.lacounty.gov or visit our YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com.

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H1N1 Vaccine Demand Greater Than Local, National Supply Those not in H1N1 priority groups asked to wait for vaccine; some county vaccine clinics may be forced to close early

H1N1 Vaccine Demand Greater Than Local, National Supply
Those not in H1N1 priority groups asked to wait for vaccine; some county vaccine clinics may be forced to close early