All Ohio residents eligible to get H1N1-flu vaccine

By William K. Alcorn

YOUNGSTOWN — Area public- health departments are gearing up for an influx of people wanting the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine now that all state residents are eligible to receive the vaccine.

As of next Tuesday, the Ohio Department of Health will make the vaccine available to all Ohioans as well as those in the high-risk populations targeted during the first round of vaccine distribution.

Up to that point, only pregnant women, people who live with and care for children younger than 6 months, people 6 months to 24 years, and people 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions, were eligible for the vaccine.

This is a perfect time to get the H1N1-flu vaccine, said Matthew Stefanak, commissioner of the Mahoning County District Board of Health. The department will provide vaccine from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Austintown Fitch High School.

The number of flu cases has subsided, but another peak is expected in February, he said.

“I hope we are overwhelmed,” said Neil Altman, commissioner of the Youngstown City Board of Health, which has scheduled shot clinics from 2 to 6 p.m. Jan. 14 and 25 at the department’s facility at 345 Oak Hill Ave.

“I’m still stressing that H1N1 is a flu, which happens every year at this time, and people die. So far, the numbers of cases are far fewer than expected,” Altman said.

The Niles City Health Department, 34 West State St., is also offering H1N1 vaccine to people of all ages at no charge from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.

However, an appointment is required. To make an appointment, call (330) 544-9000, ext. 163.

“We continue to urge high-risk Ohioans to seek H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines,” state health director, Dr. Alvin D. Jackson, said.

But, he said, nearly 2.3 million doses of the vaccine are already available in the state and more is expected to arrive each week, providing sufficient vaccine for all residents as well as those in the high-risk groups.

Health officials evaluated several factors before making the decision to lift restrictions on vaccine eligibility, including prior vaccine distribution, feedback from local health departments and discussions with other state and federal health officials, Dr. Jackson said.

The state health department and its local partners have used various strategies to reach the at-risk populations, including school-based, appointment-only and mass clinics and distribution to private providers, public health officials said.

Local partners will have flexibility to determine if it is necessary to continue prioritizing the vaccine for the at-risk populations, based on the needs in their local area, Dr. Jackson said.

For more information on vaccine availability, check the Ohio Department of Health Web site at http://www.flu.ohio.gov or call the ODH H1N1 information line at (866) 800-1404 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.