Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announces that an initial shipment of 7,700 intranasal doses of H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive in New Hampshire this week.
“Prevention is the key to dealing with this novel virus outbreak,” said DHHS Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas, “and a vaccine is the best prevention tool there is. Our Division of Public Health Services has signed up hundreds of providers across the State to administer the vaccine once it arrives. This is an unprecedented effort for New Hampshire but an essential step in protecting our residents.”
After the initial shipment of intranasal vaccine, the State is expected to receive a total of approximately 180,000 doses in October. The intranasal vaccine is appropriate for healthy people aged 2 to 49 years, which means it is a good choice for healthcare workers with direct patient contact, EMS personnel, and healthy children, who are all on the priority list for H1N1 vaccination. Other versions of the vaccine will be arriving over the coming weeks for other at-risk groups, including pregnant women, people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months old, children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years, and people aged 25 to 64 who have medical conditions that put them at risk for influenza complications.
“Based on the H1N1 vaccine that is available in the State, DPHS will post the appropriate target populations on our website so everyone in New Hampshire will know when he or she can expect to receive the vaccine,” said Dr. José Montero, Director of Public Health. “The most important message is prevention to help limit the spread of this virus, not just through vaccination, but by handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when you are sick.”
For more information, the website for all New Hampshire H1N1 information is www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/DHHS_SITE/swineflu.htm. Or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website at www.flu.gov. |
