H1N1 vaccine available Saturday

Olivia Neeley

Nov. 6, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- SHELBY -- They are finally here and the Cleveland County Health Department can't wait to administer them.

The health department announced Thursday they received a large batch of H1N1 doses and will distribute them to the public this Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.

"We will have an H1N1 influenza vaccine drive-thru clinic at the health department," said Dorothea Wyant, nursing supervisor of the department. "We will also have a lot of staff to help administer the vaccine."

The department received 800 doses of the nasal spray live virus vaccine and 600 doses of the injectable inactivated vaccine, Wyant said. They encourage people to bring a copy of their Medicaid, Medicare and insurance cards for billing purposes.

Nasal spray

Wyant said the nasal spray is a live virus vaccine licensed for individuals who are 2 to 49-years of age. The injectable vaccine will be offered to individuals 6 months and older and for those who are not eligible to take the nasal spray, she added.

At a recent public forum about the H1N1 virus at Gardner-Webb University, officials commented that people should not be scared about the live virus nasal spray vaccine. "Most agree that it's better," said Tom Martin, Pharmacy Clinical Specialist for Critical Care at Carolinas Medical Center at the forum. "You get a better immune response."

Officials said the public can get either one depending on the criteria you meet.

Wyant said the public should not be afraid of the live virus vaccine because the vaccine has been manufactured in a way that allows the body to build antibodies against the H1N1 virus but does not cause illness.

"The nasal spray doesn't contain thimerosal (preservative) or other preservatives and provides a quick and more effective immune response that lasts longer," she said.

The health department planned earlier in the month to have a clinic to administer the shots but didn't think they had enough. The relief came Thursday when they got the surprise package of more than 1,000 doses.

"The virus so far is behaving like the seasonal flu, which is good," said Dr. Elias Ashame with Kings Mountain Hospital. "North Carolina is not one of the most hit areas."

Officials said if you have received another live virus vaccine such as measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox or live seasonal flu you must wait one month before receiving the live H1N1 nasal spray vaccine.

Wyant said they are prepared for the busy day on Saturday but if some can't make it the department will be receiving more.

"More doses are expected and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that there will eventually be enough vaccines for all ages," she said.

Officials also said to check with your doctor if you have a severe illness or have any severe (life-threatening) allergies before taking any type of vaccine.

The following individuals should not take the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine:

Severe (life-threatening) allergy to eggs

Children younger than 2 and adults 50 years and older

Pregnant women

Anyone with a weakened immune system or long-term health problem

Anyone with asthma or has had one or more episodes of wheezing in the past year

Anyone with muscle or nerve disorders or history of a paralyzing illness

Anyone with close contact to a person with a weakened immune system

Children or adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment

Anyone who is taking/has taken Singular for allergies

Newstex ID: KRTB-0253-39492815