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State offers H1N1 vaccines to Everyone
NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Health has expanded
H1N1 flu vaccine availability to the general public. Steadily increasing
supply of the vaccine has enabled county health departments to allow
anyone who wants to get vaccinated to do so. The vaccine is provided
at no charge to patients.
"There are still many who have not had a chance to get vaccinated up
until this point," said Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH, medical director of the
state immunization program. "Although we continue to work to reach
people in the target risk groups, it is now possible to begin providing
vaccine to everyone who requests it. Public clinics are being
scheduled every week as more vaccine becomes available and the
department continues to distribute the vaccine supply efficiently to a
wide array of health departments and private providers, including
pharmacies."
Even though the numbers of cases of H1N1 flu appear to be
decreasing in Tennessee and nationwide, TDOH anticipates that
H1N1 will continue to circulate and could even surge again over the
next several months. TDOH continues to urge getting vaccinated as
the best defense against the H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses. So far,
Tennessee has received and distributed more than 1.6 million doses
of H1N1 vaccine across the state. Vaccine will continue to be
distributed throughout the flu season, which can last as late as April.
While initially H1N1 flu vaccine was reserved for those populations
considered at particularly high risk of flu complications, in accordance
with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, influenza
can cause severe illness in anyone. The vaccine can help prevent
serious outcomes in people of all ages, and the Department of Health
continues to strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon
as possible.
Tennesseans are reminded that depending on the number of people
coming to clinics, they could temporarily run out of vaccine. However,
based on the amount of available vaccine and the expected supply
continuing to arrive in the coming weeks, there will be enough vaccine
for everyone.
Flu vaccine locations are listed on the Tennessee Department of
Health Flu Shot Locator at
http://health.state.tn.us/fluclinic/default.aspx. General information can
also be provided by contacting the H1N1 Flu Information Line at
1-877-252-3432.
NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Health has expanded
H1N1 flu vaccine availability to the general public. Steadily increasing
supply of the vaccine has enabled county health departments to allow
anyone who wants to get vaccinated to do so. The vaccine is provided
at no charge to patients.
"There are still many who have not had a chance to get vaccinated up
until this point," said Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH, medical director of the
state immunization program. "Although we continue to work to reach
people in the target risk groups, it is now possible to begin providing
vaccine to everyone who requests it. Public clinics are being
scheduled every week as more vaccine becomes available and the
department continues to distribute the vaccine supply efficiently to a
wide array of health departments and private providers, including
pharmacies."
Even though the numbers of cases of H1N1 flu appear to be
decreasing in Tennessee and nationwide, TDOH anticipates that
H1N1 will continue to circulate and could even surge again over the
next several months. TDOH continues to urge getting vaccinated as
the best defense against the H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses. So far,
Tennessee has received and distributed more than 1.6 million doses
of H1N1 vaccine across the state. Vaccine will continue to be
distributed throughout the flu season, which can last as late as April.
While initially H1N1 flu vaccine was reserved for those populations
considered at particularly high risk of flu complications, in accordance
with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, influenza
can cause severe illness in anyone. The vaccine can help prevent
serious outcomes in people of all ages, and the Department of Health
continues to strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon
as possible.
Tennesseans are reminded that depending on the number of people
coming to clinics, they could temporarily run out of vaccine. However,
based on the amount of available vaccine and the expected supply
continuing to arrive in the coming weeks, there will be enough vaccine
for everyone.
Flu vaccine locations are listed on the Tennessee Department of
Health Flu Shot Locator at
http://health.state.tn.us/fluclinic/default.aspx. General information can
also be provided by contacting the H1N1 Flu Information Line at
1-877-252-3432.
See Also:
H1N1: The Facts for Sevier
and Blount County
and Blount County