Ohio Department of Health orders additional H1N1 flu vaccine

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Health has submitted an order for 372,900 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The vaccine will be shipped directly to 936 local health departments, hospitals, family physicians, federally qualified health centers, pediatricians, OB/GYNs, internists and other enrolled medical providers in 88 Ohio counties.

The order includes 98,900 doses of nasal-spray vaccine and 274,000 shots of H1N1 flu vaccine.

The vaccine is intended for high-risk individuals including health care workers and EMS workers who provide direct patient care; pregnant women; people who live with or care for children less than 6 months; all people 6 months to 24 years; and people 25 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions.

The vaccine orders should begin arriving at provider offices and clinics today orTuesday, according to CDC.

ODH is also reminding parents and health-care providers that children younger than 10 should receive two doses of H1N1 flu vaccine in order to achieve optimal protection against pandemic flu. Children who had their first dose on or before Nov. 9 are now eligible for their second dose. The CDC recommends that the two doses of H1N1 vaccine be separated by 28 days to be effective.

ODH has previously ordered 2,299,200 doses of H1N1 vaccine, bringing Ohio’s total to 2,672,100 doses thus far.