Created on Thursday, 15 October 2009 13:08

Contact: Collette DuValle, 317-373-2391

Health Department Announces Distribution of H1N1 Vaccine

This week’s arrival of H1N1 vaccine in both the injectable and mist form will allow the Marion County Health Department to begin distributing limited amounts of the vaccine to private healthcare providers whose patients are women who are pregnant and who serve children ages 6 months to 24 years of age.

Marion County healthcare providers were asked to register if they wanted to distribute H1N1 vaccine. The health department is using this list to distribute the vaccine.

On Tuesday, the health department received two vaccine shipments totaling 9,800 doses of injectable and 4,000 doses of flu mist. Another shipment of 10,000 doses of the vaccine arrived Thursday.

Local arrival of H1N1 vaccine has heightened community interest in when and where the vaccine will be distributed.

Last week’s first shipment of H1N1 flu mist has been distributed to Indianapolis hospitals with the guidance the vaccine be used for emergency department and critical care workers. Hospitals will continue to receive a portion of the vaccine for their employees.

The county is anticipating between 100,000 and 130,000 H1N1 vaccine doses by the end of the month.

Those with questions can contact that Marion County Health Department Flu Helpline at 221-3366.

Since opening September 21, the Helpline has received more than 1,500 calls.