Tehama County receives H1N1 vaccine

Geoff Johnson

Nov. 4, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Tehama County's first shipment of H1N1 vaccine arrived Tuesday, later and fewer than expected.

About 5,600 doses are being kept by the health department -- limited enough the Health Services Agency is posting restrictions on who can receive the vaccine.

In the agency's three-phase plan, pregnant women, children ages six months to 4 years old, children with chronic health conditions ages 5- 18 and health care workers will be eligible for initial doses, which may go out today.

Most of these doses will go to private providers who can target those populations, said Public Health Director Sydnei Wilby. Qualifying patients are advised to contact their private providers before turning to the county.

Health Services Agency Director Valerie Lucero said her agency would not be disclosing which private providers have received the vaccine.

But the county will be providing shots at its immunization clinics in Red Bluff and Corning for qualifying patients whose private providers do not have the vaccine and those who lack a private provider.

It remains unclear just when more vaccine will arrive. The county has received enough vaccine that it is no longer considered on the priority list, and other counties with fewer doses will receive more shipments before Tehama County is considered, Lucero said.

Unlike some counties and cities, H1N1 has not spread to the point that the county has declared a state of emergency. The agency has, however, set up an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Department Operation Center for purposes of handling the vaccine, receives daily briefings from the state and has stockpiled antiviral drugs proven to work against severe cases of H1N1, including Tamiflu.

Immunization clinics are held from 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays at 1600 Solano St. in Corning and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 5-6 p.m. Wednesdays at 1860 Walnut St. in Red Bluff.

More information is available by calling 527-6824 or visiting www.tchp.org.

Seasonal flu

The seasonal flu vaccine remains in scarce supply in Tehama County.

The Health Department received only 50 percent of its initial shipment, Lucero said.

Private providers receive their seasonal flu vaccine separately and may not have received full doses.

The vaccine may not arrive until later this month.

Red Bluff day was corrected

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Staff Writer Geoff Johnson can be reached at 527-2153, extension 114, or at gjohnson@redbluffdailynews.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-1044-39440690