Front of the H1N1 vaccine line: Pregnant women, young people, asthmatics, diabetics, people living with HIV/AIDS, among those in priority group

Today, local health officials announced that the demand for the H1N1 flu vaccine is exceeding the supply, which is impacting some Public Health-run vaccine clinics. To ensure equitable availability, screening for priority groups will be intensified. Here are the questions used to determine if you are in the priority groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine:

• Date of birth?

• Do you have any of the following conditions?

o Asthma

o Heart, lung, kidney, liver or neurological disease

o Cancer

o Diabetes

o Blood disorder

o Compromised immune system, such as those living with HIV/AIDS

• 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.

If you do not fall into these priority groups, you are encouraged to be patient. 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.

More info:

·         Search for a free H1N1 vaccine clinic in your area at http://www.FluShotLA.com

·         Fill out the vaccination form, before you go to the free vaccine clinic – it’s in several languages here - Vaccination Form

·         Read the Press Release issued today from Public Health.