VACCINE SHORTAGE: School H1N1 Clinics Canceled — But Limited Doses Offered Saturday

The Fairfax County Health Department will open a mass H1N1 vaccination clinic for children 6 months to 36 months of age and pregnant women on Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035). This clinic is open to Falls Church City residents.

Due to delays in the production of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, the health department currently does not have enough vaccine available to hold the vaccination clinics that were scheduled to be held in ten Fairfax County middle schools on October 24th and 25th. Instead, approximately 10,000 doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be available at the government center clinic on October 24th. Children in the 6 month to 36 month age range and pregnant women are among the target groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. The vaccine is voluntary and will be offered on a walk-in basis, free of charge. Seasonal flu vaccine will not be available at these clinics.

A child’s parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form before the child can be vaccinated. An adult 18 years or older must accompany children under the age of 18 to the vaccination site. Consent forms are available online and in the health department’s five district offices and three community health care network sites. Parents are encouraged to print the form and fill it out before visiting the vaccination site on October 24, if possible. Consent forms will be available at the vaccination site.

Consent Forms (English and Spanish):

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/h1n1-vaccine-distribution.htm

Depending on availability, both the nasal spray and “flu shot” forms of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be offered. Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine are posted online and available at health department locations. Parents are encouraged to read both statements to educate themselves about the vaccine choices prior to October 24 to allow for ample time to review the information.

VIS forms for nasal spray and “flu shot” (English and Spanish):

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/h1n1-vaccine-distribution.htm

To assist the public throughout Saturday, Fairfax County will provide real-time information about the availability of vaccine. Residents are encouraged to check the following official Web site for updated information before leaving for the vaccination site on October 24:

Fairfax County Web site: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/flu/