The first shipment of the H1N1 swine flu vaccine has arrived in New Mexico, but it’s still unclear exactly how the much-desired meds will be distributed.
The state Health Department ordered about 40,000 doses of the swine flu vaccine, Department spokesman Chris Minnick said, and some of those have begun to trickle in. From this wave of 40,000 vaccines, Minnick said 900 have been allocated for Rio Arriba County and 2,800 for Santa Fe County.
The initial numbers may seem small, but Minnick stressed it’s just the first wave. He estimated 1.2 million doses would make it to the state by January. As they arrive, the vaccines will be distributed to private health care providers and public health clinics in each county, he said, but he didn’t know which institutions would receive them or how many doses each would get. Anyone concerned about getting the vaccine should contact their health care provider or the local public health office
“We don’t expect there to be any kind of shortages,” Minnick said.
Darren DeYapp, executive director of La Clinica del Pueblo de Rio Arriba in Tierra Amarrila, said his clinic received 30 doses last week, and those would all be given to staff who interact with patients. The Department recommended first vaccinating medical personnel, DeYapp said.
The next batch will be distributed to high priority patients, but he didn’t know when that would happen, DeYapp said. In the meantime, he said La Clinica has scheduled meetings at local schools to discuss the clinic’s approach to dealing with the virus and doling out the vaccine.
Rio Arriba County Emergency Manager Mateo DeVargas said that once a supply of the vaccine is available, the doses would be distributed first to those with the highest risk of serious complications from the virus.
That population includes anyone younger than two, older than 65, and those with a variety of other medical conditions. Pregnant women are also considered high priority for getting the vaccine, he said.
The H1N1 virus has been traced to nine deaths and 140 hospitalizations in New Mexico, according to the Department’s Web site. Five of those hospitalizations occurred in Rio Arriba County, but no one in the County has died from the virus. There have been six hospitalizations in Santa Fe County, but no deaths.
The Department’s Web site, www.health.state.nm.us, maintains updated information on the H1N1 virus, including symptoms that indicate medical care might be necessary.
For the seasonal flu, vaccines are available at locations throughout the area.
The Española Public Health Office, 30 County Road 8, is scheduled to give free shots Oct. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the Santa Fe County Mobile Health Van will offer free shots Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Poajoaque Supermarket parking lot; the Santa Fe County Health Department gives free flu shots every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and La Clinica offers free flu shots by appointment. Many pharmacies also offer the vaccine, but there is often a fee.