Hundreds wait in line for flu shots
More H1N1 flu vaccine expected in coming months, health officials say
BY PATRICIA A. MILLER Staff Writer
The Ocean County Health Department employee walked out of the building on Sunset Avenue and peered into the chill October darkness, to see where the long line for seasonal flu shots ended.

"You going to tell us you're out of vaccine?" one woman standing in line asked her.

"I wouldn't dare tell you that," she said with a laugh. "I want to get home tonight."

The line ran from the doorway of the building all the way down the driveway, then into the damp, slippery grass along the roadway. Toms River police officers were out in force to direct traffic. The line moved slowly, as pockets of people were allowed to enter, about a dozen at a time. Inside, there was another line that snaked through the hallways. Hand-sanitizer dispensers were strategically placed along the way.

Health department officials estimated that nearly 900 people waited for the shots at the Oct. 29 clinic, one of the few remaining flu clinics of the year.

"It was our biggest clinic yet," public information officer Leslie Terjesen said.

There is some seasonal flu vaccine left. The health department has scheduled another clinic from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. today at the health department building, she said.

It's been standing room only at the recent Ocean County Health Department clinics for both seasonal flu and the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccines.

"People are panicking when they hear their doctors' offices don't have any," Terjesen said.

And many area drugstores began their seasonal flu shot program earlier than usual this fall and have already completed the programs, Terjesen said.

The health department usually runs clinics for seasonal flu well into November and even December. But this year, health department officials have had to juggle clinics for both season flu and the H1N1 flu.

Assistant County Public Health Coordinator Daniel Regenye at a press conference during the summer described the H1N1 flu as a "moving target."

"We're hoping for the best situation, but planning for the worst," he said then.

The H1N1 vaccine is in especially short supply, although federal officials expect that by December the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should have 150 million doses available, enough for everybody who wants a shot or a dose of nasal mist vaccine.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website said that although 40 million doses were expected by the end of October, only 16.1 million doses have been distributed throughout the United States so far.

The state Health Department has ordered 1.3 million doses of H1N1 vaccine. More than 567,000 doses have been distributed to 891 providers statewide.

"The federal government has assured us that ultimately there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wants it," according to the state Health Department website. "However, with only limited vaccine available at this time, it is important to first target the individuals most susceptible to H1N1 flu."

The H1N1 target populations are five groups: pregnant women; people who live with or provide care to children younger than 6 months of age; health care and emergency medical services personnel; all people from 6 months through 24 years old; and persons ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk for H1N1 flu because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems, according to the CDC website.

Although the Ocean County Health Department has ordered an additional 10,000 doses, the orders are being filled only as the CDC receives the vaccine from manufacturers. The Health Department will continue to arrange H1N1 clinics as the vaccine is received and notify the public of the dates and times, Terjesen said.

The only Ocean County Health Department flu clinic slated for this week was one for H1N1 nasal flu mist vaccine on Nov. 4 at the Health Department on Sunset Avenue.

The state Department of Health and Human Services recently opened an H1N1 information hot line at 1-866-321-9571. The hot line is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Also available is an H1N1 Resource Center and a "Find a Flu Shot Locator" at the department's website at www.nj.gov.health.

More influenza vaccine information is also available from the Ocean County Health Department by calling 732-341- 9700, or at the department website at www.ochd.org.