Healthy adults, you can roll up your sleeves now.
More than 3 million doses of H1N1 vaccine will have been distributed by next week to clinics, pharmacies, and stores across Minnesota. Retailers such as Target and Cub, who order vaccine directly from the federal government, are advertising flu shots, and many public clinics are scheduled for next week by local public health agencies.
"There is plenty of vaccine for anyone who wants to be vaccinated," said Kris Ehresmann, director of immunizations for the Minnesota Department of Health.
For most of the flu season, vaccine was restricted to high-risk groups, including children, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions. Since mid-December, when shortages eased, health officials have opened up vaccinations to healthy adults as well.
Next week the department will launch its annual "Ban the Bug" campaign, urging everyone to get flu shots, to coincide with the arrival of big shipments of vaccine.
Ehresmann said this is a good time for children younger than 10 to get the second dose of vaccine that they need to provide full protection against the H1N1 virus.
While influenza illnesses have declined sharply in Minnesota since October, there is still sporadic activity. Four states have widespread flu activity and 13 report regional activity.
It's possible that another wave of H1N1 will occur yet this winter, as could an outbreak of seasonal influenza, which so far has not appeared.
Vaccinations slowed during the two weeks around the holidays. But in mid-December all available vaccine was being used, Ehresmann said. For example, when Olmsted County announced a public flu clinic in mid-December, it got 38,000 calls in one week and vaccinated 4,000 people.
"Before the holiday there was huge pent-up demand," she said.
Josephine Marcotty • 612-673-7394
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON H1N1 VACCINE and where to find a clinic, go to www.health.state.mn.us
