The Amarillo Health Department is set to receive 1900 doses of the H1-N1 vaccine, according the Texas Department of State Health Services. Pronews 7 spoke with our local Health Department and they told us that they have not yet received those vaccines.
They also told us that while the State Health Dept. may have 1900 doses allocated for Amarillo they don't know if they will actually receive that amount. Amarillo Health Department officials said until they have received the vaccine there is no way of knowing just how much they will get. You may recall the Department had already received 200 doses that went to local emergency room employees.
When the Health Department does finally get the vaccine it will first go to those who fall in the high priority group.
Here is a list of those who fall in that category from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated.
Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated.
Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus;
Health care and emergency medical services personnel because infections among health care workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce health care system capacity;
All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
We will continue to follow this story for more information check back here at connectamarillo.com or tune in to Pronews 7.
