H1N1 vaccine could reach Graham by mid-October

By Diane Saunders
Staff Writer
Published on Sunday, September 27, 2009 8:11 AM MST

The first shipment of H1N1 flu vaccine to Graham County is expected to arrive in mid-October and will likely be in the form of nasal spray known as Flumist, County Health Department Director Neil Karnes said.

“Only a limited supply of this vaccine will be available compared to later supplies of vaccine that will be administered as immunizations (shots),” Karnes said in an e-mail response to questions from the Courier.

The Graham County Board of Supervisors met with Karnes on Sept. 21 to review a preliminary plan for immunizing county residents against H1N1, also known as swine flu. No changes to the preliminary plan were made. Karnes said Friday that the county’s plan has not yet been approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services, and revisions will likely be made to reduce the number of immunizations the County Health Department will have to give.

The county estimated it would need 18,226 doses of the vaccine to cover half the county.

According to the county’s preliminary plan, the vaccine would be given by the following providers:

• Public health and public health contracted providers — 50 percent.

• Private providers, such as family doctors or local clinics — 28 percent.

• Other entities, such as Indian Health Services, prisons or nursing homes — 22 percent.

According to the preliminary plan, those receiving H1N1 vaccinations at County Health Department clinics will pay $15 per shot. In many instances, this fee will be covered by Arizona Health Care Cost Containment Services, Medicare or private insurance.

The $15 cost of the immunization helps cover the cost of the vaccine and the costs of operating the immunization clinic. These costs include crowd control, security and nurses.

A priority has been set nationally for who will be vaccinated first. The priority list follows:

• Pregnant women.

• Caregivers of children.

• Hospital personnel.

• Children and young adults ages 6 months through 24 years old.

• Adults ages 24 through 64.

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