Providers Across the State Receive First H1N1 Vaccine Shipments Faster Than Expected

Although the H1N1 vaccine became available (and orders were placed) only late last week, we were very excited to learn that MA providers had already received their first shipments of H1N1 vaccine yesterday.  This was much faster than we anticipated, and it is great news.  Last night, we were assured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that they plan to continue this accelerated delivery schedule in order to get as much vaccine to people as soon as possible.

Yes, in an ideal world, we would have enough vaccine available to immunize everyone before the H1N1 virus returned.  But it is incredible that the Centers for Disease Control have been able to develop such an effective vaccine – and to ensure that it is safe to use— in such a short time period.  After all, the first time the world saw this virus was late last April. 

The first shipments have arrived, and we will continue to see shipments arrive every week throughout the flu season.  Shipments are sent directly to providers, but DPH will have weekly check-ins with providers to monitor arrivals and usage.  In about 4-6 weeks, we will have enough H1N1 vaccine to hold large clinics and offer the vaccine to millions of MA residents. 

We will also continue to work closely with the CDC to keep track of when we can expect to receive more vaccine, and what types of formulations will be in each order.  We are prioritizing vaccinating health care workers, pregnant women, children and young adults up to the age of 24, and adult 24-64 with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of complications from the flu.

Vaccination is the best protection we have against this new strain of flu, but it is also very important to remember to wash your hands frequently, to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, to cover your mouth with a tissue or your inner elbow when your cough or sneeze, and to stay home if you do get sick.

Comments

[steffie]

I have been searching and there are clinics in other towns that are giving out the H1N1 (I do not know the manufcaturer) but they are only giving it to town residents so it is virtually impossible to get. My town has absolutely no idea when it will be coming in and what manufacturer it will be. Is there any way of finding an H1N1 Sanofi Pasteur vaccine?? Will they be coming to Massachusetts at all?

[steffie]

My PCP has received and given out the H1N1 vaccine to those at high risk. I am at high risk but my PCP was only gtven Novartis vaccine and I am allergic to the antibiotics in vaccines and can only get the vaccine by Sanofi Pasteur. Are there going to be any clinics or other places I can go to receive my vaccine made by Sanofi Pasteur? I did get the seasonal flu shot made by them. I also had a slight positive reaction for thimerasol on a patch test so have been getting the preservative free made by them. However, my dermatologist said I could get the shot with the thimerasol as he did not expect much if any reaction but definitely not with the antibiotics. I had a bad reaction to a vaccination with antibiotics in it way back before I was allergic to thimerasol. I need Sanofi Pasteur....................

Thank you.

[Lisa Cote]

Will the H1N1 vaccine be administered through the public schools, or should we have our pediatrician's offices administer the vaccines? Our pediatrician's office is only giving the vaccine to non-school age children.

[Michael Cohen]

I'm sorry Dr. Smith. I find your response entirely unacceptable:

"we do not have detailed information on whether or when a specific provider location will receive shipments of vaccine"

The DPH does not know where the H1N1 vaccines are! Wow. Is there a federal agency that knows? Is there anyone who knows?

Unacceptable government bureaucracy!
Please do not censor this post. Thank you.

[Michael Cohen]

I'm sorry - I still don't understand.

According to your H1N1 spreadsheet, you state that you are in posession of 122,900 doses for pregnant women as of Oct. 9th:

"Oct. 9: 122,900 doses targeted for children under 9, people with contact with infants under 6 months, people with contact with pregnant women in their third trimester, health-care workers with direct patient contact, pregnant women."

Ok, so, where do pregnant women go to get the shots, _today_?
Where have they been distributed to?

[Michael Cohen]

You said, "Shipments are sent directly to providers". Which providers currently have the vaccine??? Why aren't we being told this?

My wife is pregnant and has asthma, but no H1N1 vaccine is available for her. I thought she was in a high priority group - ???

Our hospital told us that we would have to wait until after November 14th to get the vaccine.
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DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your questions. Because the vaccines are shipped directly to the providers, DPH is aware of the total number of doses of vaccine that will be distributed overall to locations within Massachusetts each week, but we do not have detailed information on whether or when a specific provider location will receive shipments of vaccine. We encourage you to continue to be in contact with your regular health care provider to stay updated on when they expect to receive vaccine supplies from the manufacturer, and to schedule an office visit to get vaccinated when they do.

[Amanda]

I had my 7 yea old daughter vaccinted today with the LAIV nasal spray vaccination. Should I send her to school in the morning? From what I understood from the paperwork that the Dr. gave me, she should stay away from anyone with an immune difficiatcy and anyone that may be pregnant. I called the Health Department and they told me to send her to school but we don't know if anyone that she comes into contact with through out the day is pregnant (teachers, parents, etc.) or has an immune issue. Please help.
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DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your question. At this time, state and local public health officials recommend that students can--and should-- continue to go to school, as long as they are not sick and do not have flu symptoms. All schools are taking a variety of precautions to prevent the spread of flu and we encourage you to speak with your child’s teacher or school nurse with any specific questions about the flu situation at their school.

[Arthur]

I have Type 1 insulin dependent diabetes, and have a 5 year old son. I have called his peditrician's office, who does not have any H1N1 vaccinations, my endocrinologst's office, who has none, and my primary care physician's office, who has none. They have all indicated that they have no idea when they can provide vaccinations. We are being told to contact our physicians' offices first, but they are telling me they have received no word as to when they will receive supplies. My endocrinologist's office told me to call back in a month. What do I do?
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DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your question and we appreciate your frustrations. As you know, we are facing a particularly challenging flu season this year. Vaccine manufacturers are attempting to produce two separate vaccines at the same time, which has never been done before. As a result, there have been some significant interruptions in the supply chain. We encourage you to continue to stay in regular contact with your health care provider(s) and/or your local city or town health department to monitor vaccine availability.

[CC]

Why does it seem no one knows when they will get the vaccine. All the answers are check with your health care provider. When you call them they don't know. I keep hearing get the vaccine get it..get it.. but it can't be found and won't December at the rate this is spreading won't it be a bit late? ----------------------------------------------------------
DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your question and we appreciate your concern. As you know, we are facing a particularly challenging flu season this year. Vaccine manufacturers are attempting to produce two separate vaccines at the same time, which has never been done before. As a result, there have been some significant interruptions in the supply chain. We encourage you to continue to stay in contact with your health care provider and your local city or town health department to monitor vaccine availability.

[Kara Ford]

Will there be vaccines available without thimerosal or other preservatives? Do you know where? ------------------

DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your question. The first shipment of H1N1 vaccine we received was in the form of the intranasal vaccine. Based on what we have been told by the federal government, we are expecting to receive shipments of the “inactivated” 2009 H1N1 vaccine, also known as the flu shot, in the next several weeks. All vaccine supplies are shipped directly from the manufacturer to the community-level provider (physician’s offices, hospitals, community health centers, pharmacies, local public health departments, etc.) While DPH is aware of the total number of doses of vaccine that will be distributed overall to locations within Massachusetts each week, we do not have detailed information on whether or when a specific provider location will receive shipments of vaccine. You can visit http://flu.masspro.org, to find out if there are any public flu clinics planned for your area, including vaccination clinics at chain pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreen’s or Rite Aid. We also encourage you to keep in close contact with your health care provider(s) to stay updated on when they expect to receive vaccine supplies from the manufacturer, and to schedule an office visit to get vaccinated when they do.

[shannon]

my almost 14 month old was diagnaosed with an immune defiency and is on amoxicillian until december to try to build him up and he also has asthma i heard that he should not get the h1n1 vaccine but his dr's at childrens hospitalin boston told us to get it for him as well as his father and i to get it i have asthma as well and his father has a bunch of health problems can we all get it or not
DPH RESPONDS--------------------------------------------------
Thank you for your questions. We would agree with your provider at Children’s Hospital. The best way to protect your child against possible serious complications of influenza (he has underlying conditions that would certainly put him at risk) is to vaccinate him and anyone close to him who might pass influenza to him, especially as he might not develop as good immunity because of his immune deficiency. The best way to prevent influenza is with vaccine.

[Patricia]

I will be living with our daughter and family in two weeks in another state to help with their newborn plus two other children for a month or so. Will I be able to obtain the H1N1 vaccination prior to leaving (October22) in Massachusetts since I will be caring for the newborn? -------------------------

DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your question. As you know, by the end of this week (October 9th), all Massachusetts hospitals and community health centers, many pediatric care providers, and some obstetric care providers will have received small quantities of H1N1 vaccine. Because public health vaccination clinics are not expected to begin until November and December, we would suggest that you contact your health care provider or local community health center to find out if you can schedule an appointment to get the H1N1 vaccine.

[nelson]

my mother is 69, has diabetes and will get traveling to asia next week. Can any posters here shed some light on where the h1n1 vaccine is available? We'll trying to get her vacinated over the weekend. your help is much appreciated.
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DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your question. By the end of this week (October 9th), all Massachusetts hospitals and community health centers, many pediatric care providers, and some obstetric care providers will have received small quantities of H1N1 vaccine. However, these quantities represent only 3% of the total amount of H1N1 vaccine we expect to receive this flu season. More vaccine is expected from the federal government each week to build on those quantities and expand that distribution.

People who are in a high-priority group to get vaccinated should contact their health care provider to find out when they can schedule an appointment to get the H1N1 vaccine. Public health and school-based H1N1 vaccination clinics are expected in November and December, and will be posted at http://flu.masspro.org as they are scheduled.

[Craig]

Thank you for the updates on H1N1. I am currently in my last year of medical school in Boston and function as a healthcare provider on a daily basis at several hospitals throughout Boston. I have looked all over the web and on several hospitals sites, but can not find any mention on what hospitals have received the vaccine or how to go about finding it. --------------------------------------- DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your question. By the end of this week (October 9th), all Massachusetts hospitals and community health centers, many pediatric care providers, and some obstetric care providers will have received small quantities of H1N1 vaccine. However, these quantities represent only 3% of the total amount of H1N1 vaccine we expect to receive this flu season. More vaccine is expected from the federal government each week to build on those quantities and expand that distribution. Public health and school-based H1N1 vaccination clinics are expected in November and December, and will be posted at http://flu.masspro.org as they are scheduled.

[RJ Ward]

My pediatrician has a limited supply of the H1N1 nasal vaccine and is seeing patients this weekend.
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My daughter is 17 and coming back from college on break this weekend. What are the unique risks of the nasal spray vs the injectible vaccine?
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Any comments on the risk of waitng until the injectible vaccine is available at her college, out of state?
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Thank you

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DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your questions. The nasal spray flu vaccine (sometimes called LAIV for Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine) is a vaccine made with live, weakened viruses that cannot grow at normal body temperature and is given via a nasal sprayer. This vaccine was approved for seasonal influenza viruses in 2003 and tens of millions of doses of the vaccine have been given in the United States. The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is being made in the same way as the seasonal nasal spray vaccine, but instead of containing three weakened live flu viruses, it only contains weakened 2009 H1N1 virus. In children, side effects can include runny nose, headache, wheezing, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever. In adults, side effects can include runny nose, headache, sore throat, and cough. Fever is not a common side effect in adults receiving the nasal spray flu vaccine. You can find additional information on the CDC website, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/nasalspray_qa.htm.

Certain people should not get a nasal spray flu vaccine, including the 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine. This includes:
• People younger than 2 years of age;
• Pregnant women;
• People 50 years of age and older;
• People with a medical condition that places them at higher risk for complications from influenza, including those with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease; people with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure; or people with illnesses that weaken the immune system, or who take medications that can weaken the immune system;
• Children younger than 5 years old with a history of recurrent wheezing;
• Children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy;
• People who have had Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder of the nervous system, within 6 weeks of getting a flu vaccine,
• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components.

If your daughter does not fit into any of these categories, the nasal spray is a safe option for her; however, we suggest speaking with your pediatrician to determine if she should wait for the injectable vaccine.

[Eileen]

I found a few places in my town where we can get the shot, but will my health insurance cover the cost?
Thanks
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DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your question. Health plans will provide reimbursement for the administration of H1N1 vaccine to their members by providers in both traditional settings (e.g., doctor’s office, ambulatory clinics, health care facilities) and in non-traditional settings where contracts with insurers have been established.

We expect that “non-traditional” vaccination sites, including local public health and school clinics will be able to bill health plans for the cost of administering H1N1 vaccine to plan members, but the details of that have not been finalized. However, because local public health is receiving some federal funding to help support H1N1 vaccination activities, public health clinics or mass vaccinations sites/clinics conducted by or on behalf of a public health entity, will not be able to charge co-pays or administration fees to vaccine recipients.

However, you should contact your insurance provider directly with any specific coverage questions.

[Jonathan]

I am a 37 year old with Crohn's disease, my wife is pregnant, and the baby is due in three weeks. We both meet two of the CDC advisory criteria, is it possible to get early prioritization? ---------------------- DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your question. You should speak with your regular health care professional for more information on vaccine availability and early prioritization. You can also visit flu.masspro.org for a list of public flu clinics in your area.

[Mary E Francis]

If a Pediatric Practice has not yet heard about a vaccine shipment coming should they call MDPH? Is there a particular number to cal? ------------ DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your question. You can try calling the H1N1 Vaccine help desk at 888-578-5586 (617-983-6898).

[Katie]

I'm a 25-year-old undergraduate student (living with several roommates), and am in frequent contact with infants and very young children in my role as a nanny. I would really like to get vaccinated against H1N1 as soon as possible, particularly in the interest of protecting the children I care for. Do I fit any or the "priority" criteria, and, if so, how would I go about trying to find a place that has the vaccine available for a person in my situation? I realize that the vaccines have just started coming in, but do you have any idea as to when the vaccine might become available to people in certain priority groups?
I already received the Seasonal Flu vaccine last month, and am in good physical health. --------------------------------------- DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your questions. Five groups have been identified by the CDC to get the H1N1 vaccine: pregnant women; persons who live with or provide care for infants under 6 months of age (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers); health-care and emergency medical services personnel; persons age 6 months to 24 years; and persons age 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

The first shipments of the H1N1 vaccine have arrived, and we will continue to see shipments arrive every week throughout the flu season. The shipments are sent directly to providers, and in about 4-6 weeks, we will have enough H1N1 vaccine to hold large clinics and offer the vaccine to millions of MA residents. You can find a list of public flu clinics in your area at http://flu.masspro.org. We also suggest that you contact your regular doctor to see if they will be providing the H1N1 vaccine.

[Patricia]

What is the dose of H1N1 vaccine for adults and children? ---- DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your question. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of one dose of H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine for persons 10 years of age and older. This is slightly different from the CDC’s recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination which states that children younger than 9 who are being vaccinated against influenza for the first time need to receive two doses. Infants younger than 6 months of age are too young to get the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

[Patricia]

What is the IM dose of H1N1 for adults and children? ------- DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your question. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of one dose of H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine for persons 10 years of age and older. This is slightly different from the CDC’s recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination which states that children younger than 9 who are being vaccinated against influenza for the first time need to receive two doses. Infants younger than 6 months of age are too young to get the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines

[Helena]

Is it the live, attenuated vaccine or the inactivated vaccine? ----------- DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your question. The initial doses are live, attenuated vaccine (otherwise known as FluMist).

[Emily Erikson]

My pediatrician still does not even know if they will be provided with the vaccine or if it will go to a central location -- let alone when they will actually get the vaccine. I call every morning -- knowing that it is going to be a horrible crush of appointments when they finally do get the vaccine. They are in Sterling, Mass. When can I expect that they might have some idea of whether they are going to carry the vaccine, when they might have it? --------------- DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your question. It’s difficult to provide a specific timeline, because we are still waiting for the CDC to provide the pediatric formulations of the vaccine. Having said that, pediatricians are prioritized to receive the initial shipments of H1N1 vaccine in recognition of their patient population.

[Rachel Rosenfeld]

But what about adults over age 64 with underlying health conditions? Will they be denied the vaccine that might save their lives? ------ DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your questions. There are two main reasons why people age 65 and older are not included in the groups recommended to get the initial doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. First, studies have shown that people age 65 and older are least likely to get sick with this virus, and, secondly, there will be limited amounts of vaccine available at first, so the first doses are recommended to go to those who are most likely to get infected and become very ill. That being said, with single doses of H1N1 vaccine looking effective for adults, there should be plenty of vaccine coming quickly enough that everyone who wants to be vaccinated against H1N1 can be. As for seasonal flu, the strategy is to vaccinate both children and seniors.

You can find more information on vaccines and seniors on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/vaccine_seniors.htm.

[Elizabeth]

Where is the vaccine available? My adult sister has diabetes and is at risk for becoming very ill with H1N1. We will be traveling to Texas next week and I would like her to get the vaccine before we go. ----------- DPH RESPONDS: Thanks for your question. You can find a list of public flu clinics in your area at: http://flu.masspro.org. At this time, vaccine for seasonal flu is starting to be available in the state; however, while the H1N1 vaccine is not yet available for everyone, you can use this same web resource to find if there is a provider/clinic near you. We also suggest that you contact your regular doctor to see if and when they are providing the H1N1 vaccine.