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H1N1 vaccine allocation

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  • By 20th Medical Group
  • 20th Medical Group
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Many questions have surfaced regarding H1N1 vaccine arrival and allocation. In response to these questions the 20 Medical Group wants to share the following information with our community.

On Oct. 13, 2009, an Information Paper was received from the Department of Defense with the following H1N1 vaccine facts: 

The President of the United States directed the Department of Health and Human Services to buy and distribute H1N1 vaccine. 

The distribution system for vaccines now and in future pandemic situations will be through each of the 50 Department of Health organizations in each state. All military treatment facilities must participate in this system in order to receive vaccine for their respective non-active duty beneficiaries. 

Vaccine received by medical facilities through this system is for non-active duty, or dependent and retiree, beneficiaries that are enrolled to the medical facility. Individuals that are not enrolled or are not assigned to a military medical provider will receive H1N1 vaccine through their civilian doctor. 

Federal Government employees and active duty will receive H1N1 vaccine through the Defense Logistics Agency. The DLA will be responsible for prioritizing vaccine shipments. The Shaw MTF has not received any of this vaccine allotment.

Currently, Shaw Air Force Base has received an extremely limited supply of H1N1 vaccine from the Department of Health. Patients have been prioritized to receive this initial supply based on Centers for Disease Control recommended target groups.

These groups are pregnant women, children six months through 24 years of age, children six months through 18 years receiving long-term aspirin therapy, people who live with or care for children younger than six months of age or other persons at risk for medical complications, people from 25 years to 64 years who have: chronic lung, including asthma; heart, except for high blood pressure; kidney, liver, blood or metabolic disorders including diabetes, Immunosuppression including medications or HIV, and any condition that could compromise respiratory functions such as dementia, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders or other neuromuscular disorders.

These patients will need to receive and present a prescription from their Shaw MTF provider prior to getting vaccinated for H1N1. Only patients enrolled to a Shaw MTF provider are eligible for vaccination at Shaw, per the Department of Defense guidelines. As additional vaccine arrives we will notify our dependant population through another article in the Shaw newspaper.

We anticipate meeting the needs of all our at-risk population; however, due to production and supply issues, we are currently, and may from time to time, continue to prioritize H1N1 vaccination. The Immunization Clinic is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., except the third Friday of every month when they close for training at noon.
Please direct questions to Maj. Candace Burr at 803-895-6550 or 803-895-6096.