The state has lifted prior restrictions on the H1N1 vaccine, and all Delawareans above 6 months of age can now be vaccinated.
This is possible due to an increase in 2009 H1N1 vaccine supply and because 75 percent of the vaccine that was requested by providers for high-risk populations has been shipped to them, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health.
Until this time, vaccine was not as readily available and high-risk groups had priority due to their susceptibility to complications caused by the flu or flu-like illness.
Delaware will receive nearly 9,100 doses of H1N1 vaccine next week. With this and future shipments, Division of Public Health officials are confident they can meet the needs of those wanting the vaccine. To date, it is estimated that 324,500 doses of vaccine have been distributed by DPH or made available to the medical community in Delaware since Nov. 2, including 47,873 children in schools.
Major pharmacy chains in Delaware continue to receive H1N1 vaccine under an agreement with the federal government. These doses will be available free to any adult who wishes to be vaccinated. Nationally, the pharmacies involved include Walgreens, CVS, Target, Costco, Kroger, Publix, SuperValu, Stop-and-Shop, Rite Aid, Wal-mart, ACME and Safeway.
Although some national pharmacy chains are advertising a cost for shots, there is no charge in Delaware since DPH is subsidizing the cost with a federal grant and pharmacies have agreed to waive additional charges. DPH is also providing vaccine to pharmacies in Delaware that are not participating in this program.
By law, pharmacists in Delaware cannot vaccinate persons younger than 18.
The H1N1 vaccination clinic held Jan. 8 -10 at the New Castle Farmers Market vaccinated 1,152 people.
The state's school vaccination program is scheduled to continue during the week of Jan. 19, when classes resume after the state holiday.
For the period of Jan. 3 through Jan. 9, there were 25 reports of influenza-like illness from the Division of Public Health's network of sentinel providers, compared to 36 the previous week. No cases of H1N1 virus were confirmed by the DPH lab, compared to one the previous week.
The total number of confirmed H1N1 cases since Oct. 4 is 1,972. Six people with serious, underlying health conditions died after contracting the disease.
There were no hospitalizations from H1N1 during the week of Jan. 3 through Jan. 9.
Delaware's influenza activity level is currently sporadic, state officials said. But this designation does not diminish the need for caution and vaccination, nor does it diminish the potential severity of the illness for those who get the flu.
