KDHE ASSESSES FLU VACCINE SUPPLY, URGES PROVIDERS TO USE VACCINE HIGH RISK INDIVIDUALS ONLY

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has already received survey responses from a number of local health departments and private healthcare providers in Kansas, assessing where influenza vaccine exists in the state. The survey, which was used successfully last year, will assist KDHE with facilitating the voluntary redistribution of vaccine to persons who are at the greatest risk of severe health complications from influenza. To date, some providers in communities across the state have already been working together to redistribute flu vaccine to providers whose clients are primarily high-risk individuals.

"We are quite pleased with the spirit of cooperation we have seen among health agencies and private providers throughout Kansas in helping to get vaccine to high-risk persons," said Richard Morrissey, Interim State Health Director. "It is imperative that all available vaccine be routed to those who need it most throughout this flu season. KDHE can assist with the process through its web-based Vaccine Redistribution Center and local communities can also continue to redistribute vaccine on their own."

To date, KDHE has recorded the following preliminary data from the f lu vaccine survey :

• 440 surveys have been submitted from local health departments, hospitals, pharmacies,
• A total of 70,708 doses of adult vaccine have been received, based only on 440 surveys.
• A total of 9,274 doses of pediatric vaccine have been received, based on the same 440 surveys.

Persons who are not at high risk are asked to forego receiving influenza vaccine this year, since doing so is likely going to deprive a high-risk person of it. High-risk individuals who do not receive the vaccine could face severe health complications from the flu, up to and including death.

Persons who, due to their risk status, have priority to receive the vaccine include:

• People 65 years of age and older
• Children ages 6 months to 23 months
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic lung or heart disorders including heart disease and asthma
• Pregnant women
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older with chronic metabolic diseases (including diabetes), kidney diseases, blood disorders (such as sickle cell anemia), or weakened immune systems, including persons with HIV/AIDS
• Children and teenagers, 6 months to 18 years of age, who take aspirin daily
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities
• Household members and out-of-home caregivers of infants under the age of 6 months (Children under the age of 6 months cannot be vaccinated.)
• Healthcare workers who provide direct, hands-on patient care with regular frequency to the priority group patients listed above

MedImmune is offering its FluMist ® intranasal flu vaccine to health providers. FluMist ® is a viable option for healthy non-pregnant 5 - 49 year old individuals who are contacts of infants under 6 months of age, or who are healthcare workers who provide direct patient care.

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