BISBEE, ARIZONA - The Cochise County Health Department announced today that it has received only a limited number of adult influenza vaccine to begin its annual countywide vaccination clinics which begin on October 30, 2006. Due to the limited supply, the Health Department will hold flu vaccine clinics throughout the county as scheduled, pending vaccine availability, however flu shots at all clocationw will be given by appointment only. "Unfortunately, our vaccine distributors have advised us that delivery of our order will be delayed," explains Vaira Harik, County Health Director. "We anticipate getting our normal allocation in full, just a few weeks late. In the meantime, we will focus on vaccinating only the highest risk health groups first."

Who should schedule now

In order to accommodate high risk groups with limited vaccine, only people who fall into one of the high risk groups (as recommended by the Center for Disease Control) listed below will receive vaccine by appointment first. Others will be put on a Reservation List to be contacted and scheduled at a later date:

ˆ Anyone 65 years of age and older

ˆ Any child 6 months to 23 months of age

ˆ Any woman who will be pregnant during the influenza season

ˆ Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities

ˆ Anyone 2 years to 64 years of age with an underlying chronic medical condition

ˆ Anyone 2 years to 64 years of age on chronic aspirin therapy

ˆ Anyone who is a household contact of a child less than 6 months of age, this includes out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age

ˆ Anyone in regular contact of others in a high risk group

ˆ Healthcare and community service providers

"We understand that this may be a significant inconvenience to some people," says Ms. Harik. "The purpose of this process is to vaccinate the most vulnerable people in the County as soon as possible. Then we will accommodate as many more of our citizens as we can."

How to schedule

To schedule an appointment, there are two options: contact your local Health office directly or contact the County Flu Hotline, which has now been set up to direct the caller to the closest health office to schedule an appointment. The number for the flu hotline is 520-432-9409.

In order to assist the Health Department, callers will be asked a few questions to ensure that high risk individuals are receiving vaccine. We are also working with local nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and the hospital to ensure all individuals at highest risk are covered.

Healthy beyond vaccines

In addition to vaccines, the Health Department wants to remind people that there are other healthy habits to protect against the flu. Adults who are generally healthy are asked to take extra care to stay that way until more vaccine is available. Simple, effective ways to minimize the chance of contacting the flu this season include:

ˆ Cover your mouth and nose

ˆ Clean your hands

ˆ Avoid close contact

ˆ Stay home when you are sick

ˆ Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

"We will eventually receive our allocation of vaccine," says Harik. "We'll just be extending our clinics further out in the year, providing an opportunity for people to get vaccinated a little later in the season. The peak of the season in Arizona is actually in January and February so it is never too late."

Other local options for scheduling flu vaccinations can be found online at www.findaflushot.com and www.cir.org. These sites list vaccine clinics offered at local retail establishments such as grocers and pharmacies.

Presently the only available vaccine is limited doses of the adult flu vaccine. However, peak influenza season is February and it is never too late to receive protection during the entire season.

The public will be notified as soon as the Health Department receives more adult and pediatric vaccine and is able to schedule those on the Reservation List.