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CONTACT: Stephanie Marquis, (608) 266-1683
State Expands
H1N1 Vaccine Group
Healthy School Age Children and Young Adults Added Back
Into Target Group
MADISON - The Department of Health Services (DHS) announced today that it is
expanding the H1N1 vaccination group to include healthy school age
children and young adults. During the past few weeks, DHS has been
monitoring the vaccine supply with public and private providers, as well
as allocations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). Based upon the H1N1 vaccine supply and feedback from
providers, Wisconsin is returning to the original CDC target group
recommendations today.
“We applaud the work of providers across the state in working to
reach those individuals with underlying health conditions, which make them
more-at-risk for influenza complications,” said State Health Officer Dr.
Seth Foldy. “We’re pleased that we are able to expand the group even
further today as we know that vaccine is one of the most successful tools
in protecting the health of people in our state.”
With today’s expansion, Wisconsin’s public health organizations and
private health care providers will have the flexibility of vaccinating
individuals within the CDC’s original target group. This includes:
- Pregnant women
- Persons who live with or provide care for infants age 6 months or
younger (examples: parents, siblings, daycare providers)
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
- Persons 25-64 years of age with conditions associated with higher
risk of complications from influenza
Wisconsin has been allocated, or assigned, more than one million doses
of H1N1 vaccine by the CDC. However, there is still not enough to open
vaccinations to the general public statewide at this time. DHS continues
to monitor the vaccine supply and will continue to expand the vaccine
groups as quickly as possible.
Additional vaccine will be manufactured and distributed throughout the
influenza season and the CDC is indicating there will eventually be enough
vaccine for anyone who wishes to receive it.
People may call 2-1-1 to find out an H1N1 or seasonal influenza vaccine
clinic nearest them. A “clinic finder” is also available online at http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov
or www.wisconsinfluclinic.info.
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Last Revised: July 12, 2010 |
