The Harford County Health Department has cancelled two planned seasonal flu clinics due to a lack supply. The clinics were to be held on October 26th at the Level Fire Hall and October 28th at the Health Department location in Edgewood at Woodbridge Station. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against the H1N1 virus.
Bill Wiseman, spokesman for the HCHD, said the department ran out of the seasonal flu vaccine due to increased demand. He said the department dispensed more vaccine at the last clinic (in Fallston on October 16th) than was dispensed all of last year. This is a developing story.
Here’s the official press release from the local health department canceling the remaining seasonal flu clinics in Harford County. The department is “unable to obtain additional injectable seasonal influenza vaccine at this time.”
The school-based seasonal FluMist program is still planned for students in grades K-8, but not until after the H1N1 vaccine has been dispensed in the schools. The press release says that still leaves “plenty of time” to protect children against the peak of the seasonal flu virus.
Here’s the full text:
HEALTH DEPARTMENT CANCELS REMAINDER OF SCHEDULED
SEASONAL FLU VACCINATION CLINICS
Bel Air, MD – October 20, 2009 – The Harford County Health Department has encountered the same difficulty in obtaining seasonal influenza vaccine that has been widely reported by local and national media for some time. Due to the increased demand for injectable seasonal flu vaccine this year, the Department has has exhausted its available supply of injectable vaccine and has been unable to obtain additional injectable seasonal influenza vaccine at this time.
As a result, the Harford County Health Department is canceling the remainder of its scheduled community seasonal influenza vaccination clinics, including those planned to be held at the Level Fire Hall and our Woodbridge office locations on Monday, October 26th and Wednesday, October 28th respectively.
Health Officer Susan Kelly states, “We have administered far more seasonal vaccine this year than in the past. However, despite the increase in the amount of vaccinations provided, demand still has far exceeded supply.”
The Health Department school-based seasonal FluMist program will be conducted for children (K-8) in all public and non-public schools upon the completion of its H1N1 vaccination campaign in plenty of time for youth to be adequately protected against the seasonal strain of flu.
Seasonal influenza is not likely not to be in widespread circulation until after the New Year, providing adequate time for persons to be vaccinated and to acquire sufficient immunity. Individuals are advised to continue checking with their personal healthcare providers as well as community retail partners regarding availability of seasonal vaccine and scheduled community clinics.
Any revisions and updates to the Health Department influenza vaccination clinics will be dated and posted to our website at http://www.harfordcountyhealth.com