Oct 1, 09 | Posted by: Bayshore Pediatrics

H1N1 Vaccine – update

Everyone is waiting anxiously for the H1N1 vaccine to arrive at clinics, public health departments, and yes, your local pharmacy.  We realize that everyone is waiting for answers to big question “When will it be here?”.  We would like to share some information on why we don’t know the answer yet either.

Yesterday (September 30th), the State of Wisconsin began it’s process for ordering the H1N1 vaccine.  The process for getting vaccine is more complicated than usual because we cannot order it directly from the manufacturer like we do seasonal flu vaccine.  All H1N1 vaccine doses are going directly to the CDC.  The CDC is allocating them (or distributing them) to states based upon request from that state and supply that is currently in stock.  Once the CDC allocates the vaccine to the states, each state has their own process for distributing throughout the state.  Wisconsin has set up a process where first providers, clinics, health departments, hospitals, etc. must register to be H1N1 vaccine providers.  Bayshore did this about a week ago.  After that pre-registration, we then had to complete a provider agreement.  Bayshore was able to complete this as soon as it was available on Tuesday (9/29).  Only when the agreement has been completed are providers able to order.  This was made available yesterday (9/30).  The ordering process is complicated by the lack of supply.  The State of Wisconsin doesn’t know when it will receive its allocation so that dominoes to the providers making us unable to predict when we will have our doses.  The ordering is weekly and will depend on supply.  As supply is available, it will be shipped to providers.

Even though the news and other media may report that the vaccine is shipping or will soon, this does not mean it is being shipped to us.  We will have to wait for the State of Wisconsin to distribute the vaccine which is anticipated to take at least 7-10 days. 

The first type of vaccine and the only we can order at this time is the live attenuated Influenza vaccine or LAIV, better known as the nasal spray.  This is indicated for children and adults 2 years to 45 years of age with no known underlying respiratory or chronic condition such as asthma or diabetes.  Also, this vaccine cannot be given to someone who has received the nasal seasonal flu vaccine within the last 30 days.

We have changed our phone system to provide an update if you call by pressing option 7.   We hope this information is helpful in understanding why we are so vague at this point.  We are not making appointments until we have the vaccine here.  We appreciate your patience with our staff as they try to provide the best information we have at this time.

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