H1N1 clinics suspended

Production delays cause temporary suspension of H1N1 shot clinics.

By: Aileen Streng | Inside NoVA
Published: October 20, 2009

Prince William Health District has temporarily suspended its H1N1 vaccination clinics due to production delays.

The district was recently notified that the amount of novel H1N1 vaccine available for distribution is less than expected, and is likely to remain so for at least the next several weeks, said Prince William Health Director Dr. Alison Ansher on Tuesday.

As a result, the Dale City vaccination clinic at the Hillendale Fire Station planned to open Wednesday, has been cancelled until further notice.

The Manassas clinic, that opened last week at the Manassas Mall, will not reopen Wednesday.

Information regarding when the clinics will reopen will be posted on the health district’s Web site at www.pwcgov.org/h1n1 and on the health district’s information line, 703-792-6345.

The Web site and information lines will be updated with information on a daily basis so residents are encouraged to check back regularly, Ansher said.

“As a result [of the production delays,] it may take longer to complete our vaccination efforts,” Ansher said. “We are working to use the vaccine available to vaccinate our priority populations as quickly as possible.”

Those with priority to receive the H1N1, or swine flu, vaccine are:

• Pregnant women;

• Those who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age;

• Health care and emergency medical services personnel;

• Children older than 6 months through young adults up to the age of 24;

• Those aged 25 through 64 who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

“The Prince William Health Department is working closely with our community partners, to make sure that all individuals in priority populations will have an opportunity to receive the novel H1N1 vaccine,” Ansher said.

Since some doctors who work with children has requested the vaccine, members of the public can contact their health-care provider to see if they registered to receive the vaccine and whether they have received their supply, Ansher said.

“We appreciate your patience with this very fluid situation,” she said.

Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-878-8010.