More Vaccine; Clinics Resume


11/1/2004

Wake County Human Services (WCHS) will begin taking appointments by telephone today for flu vaccination clinics scheduled to resume Monday, November 8. The county will screen individuals over the phone to determine if they fall within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) latest definitions of high-risk individuals for complications from influenza.

Wake County has approximately 11,700 vaccines in stock. Of these, 5,500 will be provided to local physician offices, 1,500 to long-term care facilities and 2,000 for vaccinating health care workers at various community health care facilities. The remaining 2,700 will be provided to high-risk individuals through appointments. The county's doses include 1,000 donated by SAS Institute and leftover supplies purchased from local health care providers who have completed their high-risk patient vaccinations.

WCHS will give approximately 300 flu shots per day by appointment only, beginning November 8, in Room 299 of its building at 10 Sunnybrook Road. Appointments will be made on an hourly basis and will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, as long as the vaccine supply lasts. On Thursday, November 11, clinics and the appointment line will be closed due to the Veterans Day holiday.

High-risk individuals must call 212-7000 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, beginning today (November 1) to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will not be accepted. Individuals who receive appointments will also be screened for high-risk criteria when they come for their shots and will be asked to sign a form stating the screening information they provide is accurate. Human Services will not take doctors' prescriptions for the flu shot.

"Our goal is to reach the most-vulnerable individuals within Wake County who could suffer severe complications from influenza," said Gibbie Harris, Wake County Community Health director. "By using appointments, we want to avoid the long, stressful lines that have occurred due to this year's shortage. Our screening process will help determine who is most at-risk from influenza. Under the CDC's current guidelines, some underlying or chronic health conditions, such as controlled hypertension, will not qualify individuals for the flu vaccine this year. We ask that the public be patient and understanding as we continue to work through this flu vaccine shortage."

To handle the anticipated high volume of phone calls, BellSouth has worked with Wake County Human Services to establish a dedicated phone system. Appointments will be available in both English and Spanish by calling 212-7000.

Harris anticipates receiving additional requests from local health care providers that have not received any flu vaccine this year. To date, Wake County received requests for more than 25,000 vaccines, due to the shortage. Harris and her staff have worked with local health care representatives to determine the best method for distributing the available vaccine.

"I want to thank everyone who has helped us look at this high demand for flu vaccine this year," Harris said. "The input from our fellow health care providers throughout Wake County has been vital in developing what we feel is an effective plan to deal with this shared crisis. Wake County is also deeply appreciative to SAS Institute for their generous donation of vaccine."

By law, all providers in North Carolina must follow CDC guidelines on who qualifies as high-risk. The CDC describes the following individuals to be at high risk for contracting flu and its complications:

  • All children aged 6-23 months
  • Adults 65 and over
  • Persons aged 2-64 with underlying chronic medical conditions
  • All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
  • Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
  • Children aged 6 months-18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
  • Health care workers involved in direct patient care
  • Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children aged less than 6 months.


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