News Releases > Health department receives first shipment of H1N1 injectable vaccine

The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health received its first doses of H1N1 injectable vaccine today and will be giving it to healthcare providers to vaccinate pregnant women, chronically ill children and healthcare workers.

The department received approximately 3,000 doses of injectable vaccine on Tuesday.  Some of this vaccine is being reserved for hospitals and urgent care clinics to vaccinate staff members who provide direct patient care. It is not intended for the general public.

Local pediatricians, obstetricians, and asthma and allergy centers will also be receiving some vaccine for their staff and for patients who are at risk for serious complications from the H1N1 flu, including pregnant women, children up to 4 years of age, children ages 5 through 18 who have chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes and muscular dystrophy. People should contact their health care provider to see if they are eligible for the vaccine.

A list of area providers who have received the vaccine will be posted on www.FightTheFlu.org.

The department also received approximately 1,700 doses of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine and will continue to offer it at its clinic at Carew Medical Park. The nasal spray vaccine is being reserved for healthy children and young adults and for people who live with or provide care to infants less than 6 months of age.

A person cannot receive this vaccine if he or she has asthma or is sick with nasal congestion. No one older than 49 years of age can receive this vaccine.