H1N1 Vaccine Coming In Slowly|ABC News 4

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H1N1 Vaccine Coming In Slowly

posted 11/03/09 4:42 pm

search tags: vaccine • swine • flu

ABC News 4 - H1N1 Vaccine Coming In Slowly

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Charleston, SC - Many people are struggling to get their hands on the swine flu vaccine.

Shipments of it are coming in at a slower rate than health officials predicted.

DHEC says there's been a delay on the end of the companies manufacturing the vaccine which has led to a backup in people waiting to get it here.

The H1N1 vaccine hit the low country about a month ago and doctors’ offices are going through it quickly.

“So far we’ve vaccinated 600 people in the past month for swine flu,” said Dr. John Sperry, Pediatrician.

Dr. Sperry says his office can't get the new supplies of the vaccine fast enough.

In DHEC clinics, about 6,000 people in the low country have gotten the vaccine.

“We hope there will be enough for everyone who wants it eventually, that’s why we’re asking people to wait so we can get those who seem to be adversely affected by it the most to get theirs first,” said Dr. John Simkovich, Regional Health Director, DHEC Region 7.

Right now the people that can get the vaccine are pregnant women, adults with underlying health conditions, children 6 months to 24 years old, and parents of children under six months.

Children under 9 have to get two doses of the H1N1 vaccine about a month apart from each other because their immune systems aren't fully mature.

Pediatricians are hoping there is enough supply for kids when they come back for that second dose.

“We just have to use what we have, but we can’t let that stop us from what were doing now. Cause if we don’t get that first dose in we’re not going to get that second dose in,” said Dr. Sperry.

Health officials say the manufacturers are speeding up production, so they're hopeful they will get enough for everyone who wants it.

DHEC says the best way to get the vaccine is by checking with your primary care physician or making an appointment at a DHEC clinic.

For more information, call 1-800-277-4687.

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