Wake County is pleased to report that 20,600 doses of H1N1 vaccine in the nasal and injectable forms have been distributed to medical care providers in Wake County during the month of October 2009. The doses, in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are being distributed to people in priority groups.

“Based on the County’s recent experience, we know that the H1N1 flu vaccine is in high demand in our community,” said Wake County Community Health Director Sue Lynn Ledford. “We are pleased that the County, our local hospitals and many of our medical care providers have received the H1N1 vaccine, and can participate in the distribution process.”

Of the 20,600 doses recently received throughout Wake County, 5,000 were distributed to hospitals and 9,000 were distributed to private medical care providers. Wake County run facilities received 6,600 doses that have already been distributed. The majority of the private medical care providers that received the H1N1 vaccine were obstetricians and gynecologists and pediatricians because they provide health care to patients in the highest risk groups.

“Private medical care providers are a cornerstone of our community and provide routine care for the majority of our citizens,” said Ledford. “That is why the vaccine has been shipped directly to them and why we urge people in priority groups who wish to receive the vaccine to contact their private care providers before they look for the H1N1 vaccine anywhere else.”

Priority groups for receiving the H1N1 vaccine are:

· Pregnant Women

· Children ages 6 months to 24 years

· Persons ages 25 to 64 with underlying health issues

· Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

· Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months

The County anticipates that there will be sufficient supply of vaccine for all who want it as the flu season progresses.

Wake County does not know when additional shipment of H1N1 vaccine will be delivered. The news media will be notified when County run clinics are restocked and reopened.

For more information about H1N1 flu and seasonal flu visit www.wakegov.com/flu. For the most up-to-date information about H1N1 and seasonal flu in Wake County, sign up to receive ReadyWake! Tweets at www.Twitter.com/ReadyWake.