TALLAHASSEE, FL--Craig Wilson works with kids at the Jefferson County Health Department. Because his work is on the priority list, Craig became one of the first people in Florida to receive the H1N1 mist vaccine.
“It’s a lot scarier to not have some protection as this comes around. So I feel a lot better now,” Wilson said.
Rural Jefferson County received 100 does of the mist vaccine Thursday morning.
48 Counties, including Jefferson, plan to use schools to administer the vaccines.
“Where we’re sending most is into the schools, both the seasonal vaccine, as well as the H1N1,” said Kim Barnhill, Jefferson County's health officer.
Florida Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros held a statewide conference call to brief reporters on the vaccine. Asked if someone not in the priority group requested the initial vaccine, she says no one will be turned away...but.
“We’re asking folks and we’re confident that Floridians will understand why we’re doing so. There’s limited supply, we want to make sure that those individuals in those targeted groups are protected first,” Dr. Viamonte Ros said.
One hundred thousand doses of the mist vaccine are expected to be in Florida in the coming weeks, but it could take 8 to 12 weeks for the injectable vaccine to arrive for those who can’t take the mist.
As vaccine is delivered across the state, locations will be posted on the state website myflusafety.com. You can also speak to an operator from 8 in the morning to 8 at night by calling 877.352.3581.
Additional information from the Florida Department of Health:
H1N1 Flu Vaccine:
The initial shipment will include the FluMist nasal spray only. The nasal spray:
Is effective for healthy people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant, and healthy persons who live with or care for those in a high risk group. The one exception is healthy persons who care for persons with a severely weakened immune system.
Is not recommended for infants under 2, adults over 49, pregnant women or anyone with a range of underlying health problems.
Who is at greatest risk?
People at greatest risk for H1N1 swine flu infection or transmission include children and young adults, caregivers of very young children, pregnant women, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease.
