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Oct 25, 2009 11:34 pm US/Central
Some At Risk Might Still Wait For H1N1 Vaccine
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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The CDC says the H1N1 strain has not yet mutated, so the current vaccine should remain effective. (File)
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It may be January before Minnesota will receive a large enough supply of H1N1 flu vaccine for everyone, but even some in high-risk categories may be left waiting.
The very limited supply of H1N1 vaccine is supposed to be used on those who are at the highest risk, such as 2-year-old Andrea, whose family is worried because her Down syndrome makes her vulnerable to respiratory illnesses like influenza.
"I think it's very important to have her ready for anything," said Maria Castellanos, Andrea's mother.
With three school-age brothers in the house, they're very concerned about exposing Andrea to H1N1, especially since they haven't been able to get the vaccine yet.
"I feel frustrated, even mad. You know, 'How come this is happening?' They know the flu is going on around for awhile," said Castellanos.
Patsy Stinchfield, director of infectious disease at Children's Hospitals and Clinics Minnesota, just returned from a meeting of the Centers for Disease Control's vaccine policy committee. She says it's amazing there is any vaccine available, since it usually takes nine months to manufacture.
"It's a very sensitive process. We can't make the biology go any faster. It's like standing at the oven waiting for a cake to bake," explained Stinchfield. "The whole country is standing at that oven saying, 'Why can't it go faster?'"
H1N1 vaccine is being distributed to each state according to population. Providers are then supposed to follow CDC guidelines for giving shots to those most at risk.
That list includes kids with chronic illness, children 6 months old and above, pregnant women, healthcare workers, and caregivers of children too young to get the vaccine.
Though the pressure is on to make more vaccine, Stinchfield says people should not be worried about its safety.
"People can feel confident in this vaccine. We have 60 years of experience making flu vaccines, 100 million doses a year," she said
The CDC says the H1N1 strain has not yet mutated, so the current vaccine should remain effective.
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