Wake runs out of H1N1 vaccine

Wake County closed its H1N1 immunization clinics late Monday after depleting its initial shipment of the flu vaccine.

Posted 7:57 p.m. Oct 12, 2009 — Updated 10:04 p.m. Oct 12, 2009

DURHAM, N.C. — Four days after opening four clinics to immunize people against the H1N1 virus, Wake County public health officials closed the clinics late Monday after depleting the initial shipment of the nasal mist flu vaccine.

Officials said they would reopen the clinics as soon as they can restock them with vaccine.

"We are waiting additional vaccine supply and anticipate receiving vaccine in the near future. We will work as quickly as possible to meet the needs of our citizens,” Wake County Community Health Director Sue Lynn Ledford said in a statement. “All four vaccination clinics will reopen when supplies become available.”

Ledford said that, despite the temporary depletion of the vaccine, officials anticipate that there will be sufficient supply of vaccine for all who want it as the flu season progresses.

Health departments across the state are preparing to receive more batches of the H1N1 vaccine this week, and more counties are opening clinics to distribute the nasal spray and eventually the shots.

Cumberland County began giving H1N1 vaccinations Monday at the county health department office on Fountainhead Lane in Fayetteville. The clinic will run from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m.

On Monday, the Durham County Health Department and Duke University Health System held a joint press conference urging people to get vaccinated.

H1N1 vaccination fact sheet
Statements from Durham County Public Health Director Gayle Harris
Statements from Dr. Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease physician

Durham’s health department will be holding a vaccine clinic for elementary school students on Oct. 19 and 21 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Durham Public Schools Staff Development Center on Hillandale Road.

Health leaders will meet with charter and private school officials next week to talk about vaccinations.

While supplies last, the H1N1 vaccine will be offered at the Durham County Health Department Immunization Clinic.

As of Monday, Durham had received about 1,400 doses of the nasal spray.

Duke Health set up a map on its Web site to show availability of the vaccine. Patients should visit the Web site before calling or stopping by, officials said.

So far, hospital officials said they have seen some extreme cases, but no deaths.

The H1N1 vaccine comes in two forms: nasal mist and injection. The Nasal FluMist vaccine has a weakened live virus and is only recommended for healthy people ages 2 to 49. The Nasal FluMist vaccine isn't recommended for pregnant women, anyone with a long-term health problem or children with asthma.

As for seasonal flu, Wake County public schools will offer free vaccinations to students, starting Tuesday.

The clinics will be held at 21 schools across the county through November. Any K-12 student, even those in private school, can be vaccinated as long as a parent or guardian is present and consents.

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