H1N1 vaccine has arrived in NH

Suzanne Laurent

Oct. 29, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- CONCORD -- Health officials said Tuesday that New Hampshire is behind the national average in the number of H1N1 cases reported, but the numbers of those affected are growing and the state has been allocated 40,000 more doses of the vaccine that will be received Monday for distribution.

Public Health Director Jose Montero said pregnant women, children with health conditions that would put them at risk, and health care workers are still considered the highest-risk groups and are targeted to receive the vaccine before it becomes available to the general public.

"We have 700,000 people in high-risk groups," Montero said during a press conference call.

The second group targeted to receive the vaccination will include children, day care providers, and adults and college-age students at high risk for complications.

Montero said the state was not encouraging school-based clinics for healthy children at this point, but is hoping to receive vaccine supplies for this age group around Thanksgiving. The vaccine is distributed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is based on population numbers, not on numbers of confirmed cases of H1N1.

In fact, the state is not testing for the H1N1 flu in the general population.

"We are only recommending testing on hospital patients with respiratory conditions, pregnant women who develop respiratory illnesses or health care workers who have respiratory illness."

The state Department of Health and Human Services activated an H1N1 public inquire line on Tuesday. Residents can call with questions about the H1N1 virus, the vaccine and other questions related to H1N1 by dialing 2-1-1. This line will initially be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Newstex ID: KRTB-1048-39269684