Hamilton County Gets More Injectable Swine Flu Shots, Plenty of Nasal Mist Available

Chattanooga, TN- For the latest information on H1N1 vaccine availability through the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, residents should visit the Health Department’s website, health.hamiltontn.org.  The website is updated regularly to reflect current vaccine supplies. Persons may also call the Health Department’s hotline for Health Department vaccine supply information at 209-8393.

At this time, injectable vaccine availability continues to be variable in Chattanooga as is the case across the nation.  The Health Department will continue to receive intermittent shipments of various sizes and formulations so visiting health.hamiltontn.org is the best way to remain informed.

“We share the frustration of residents who are waiting to receive the H1N1 vaccine,” said Becky Barnes, Health Department Administrator. “Our planning anticipated that vaccine supply would be variable, and we are committed to doing everything we can to get the vaccine out as soon as it becomes available.”

Today, the Health Department received 1,000 additional doses of injectable 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Because of limited availability, the Health Department will continue to offer the injectable vaccine to only the following groups at this time:

• Pregnant women
• Children age 5 years through 18 years who have chronic medical conditions
• Children age 6 months through 23 months

In addition, persons in the following categories who have a medical contraindication to FluMist are also eligible to receive the injectable formulation of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine at this time:

• Persons who live with or care for infants less than 6 months old
• Healthcare and emergency medical personnel
• Children age 2 years through 4 years

The Health Department continues to receive shipments of and make appointments for the administration of 2009 H1N1 FluMist. Because the FluMist formulation of the vaccine is available in greater quantities, the Health Department is now offering this vaccine to anyone in the community who is medically eligible to receive this formulation. The 2009 H1N1 FluMist is appropriate for healthy, non-pregnant individuals between the ages of 2 years and 49 years.

Appointments can be made for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine by calling the Health Department hotline at 209-8393. Hotline operating hours are from 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. The H1N1 flu vaccine is provided at no charge. For updates, follow the Health Department on Twitter- @HamiltonHealth.