LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The Wilford Hall Immunization Clinic has limited amounts of H1N1 vaccine available for dependents and a small group of active-duty personnel.
The H1N1 vaccine is available as a shot or nasal spray. The spray contains live, weakened virus, while the shot is an inactivated vaccine containing dead virus and is considered safer for high-risk groups.
Because the H1N1 shot is limited, it is reserved for high-risk dependents and active-duty members who are pregnant or in close contact with infants younger than 6 months, while the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is available for healthy dependents, ages 2-49, said Maj. Christopher Calabria, officer in charge, Wilford Hall Immunization Clinic.
It's expected more vaccine will become available by late December.
"Once we receive more vaccine, people will be able to choose between the (shot) or the nasal spray," he said.
Per recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the vaccine is available for the following groups:
- pregnant women (dependent and active duty);
- all 6 month to 24 year olds;
- high-risk patients 25 to 64;
- people in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old (dependent and active duty); and
- health care workers in direct patient care, including active duty and civilian.
High risk conditions include chronic lung problems, such as asthma; cardiovascular problems, except high blood pressure; kidney or liver problems; cognitive problems; neurologic/neuromuscular problems; hematologic (blood) problems; metabolic disorders, including diabetes; and immune-suppression, including that caused by medication or HIV.
Once the supply is adequate for high-risk groups and health care workers, the shot will be made available to everyone under 65.
The clinic is reserving the limited amounts of shots for high-risk patients; however, healthy 2 to 49 year olds may receive the nasal spray vaccine.
The vaccine is currently unavailable for patients older than 65.
For active duty, less than 1 percent of the vaccine has been received from the Department of Defense supply. There is enough to vaccinate only deployers, pregnant women, and people in close contact with infants younger than 6 months of age.
According to Major Calabria, the H1N1 vaccine for basic trainees is due the week of Dec. 7, while enough vaccine for all active-duty members is expected by the end of December.
The immunization clinic is a walk-in clinic. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Tuesdays when it is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more information, visit the WHMC H1N1 online information page at
www.whmc.af.mil/h1n1.