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Source: http://newsblog.projo.com/2009/12/ri...ath-vacci.html
RI sees 10th H1N1 death; vaccine to be offered broadly
4:34 PM Tue, Dec 15, 2009
Richard Salit
WEST GREENWICH, R.I. -- As the last of 421 school swine flu clinics wrapped up on Tuesday afternoon, state health director David Gifford announced plans to make the vaccine available to the broader population over the next couple of months.
H1N1 shots will be distributed almost immediately to physicians' offices to inoculate, adults 24 and younger, adults through the age of 64 with chronic illnesses, and children who missed school clinics. Staff in doctors' offices will also receive the vaccine.
Then, finally, as early as January, the dissemination of the vaccine to everyone else could begin, Gifford said.
Gifford said the state last week received notice that it will be receiving more vaccine than it had anticipated.
"That's moved us up a lot," he said.
Also in January, another round of school clinics will start, but these will be for children younger than 10. They require a second shot to ensure full immunity.
Gifford said that H1N1 virus has killed 10 in Rhode Island since Sept. 1. The most recent death, on Dec. 9, was a woman from Kent County between 18 and 24 years old. The Health Department will not release H1N1 victims' home towns or ages. Spokeswoman Annemarie Beardsworth couldn't immediately say whether the woman had any underlying health issues or where she died.
RI sees 10th H1N1 death; vaccine to be offered broadly
4:34 PM Tue, Dec 15, 2009
Richard Salit
WEST GREENWICH, R.I. -- As the last of 421 school swine flu clinics wrapped up on Tuesday afternoon, state health director David Gifford announced plans to make the vaccine available to the broader population over the next couple of months.
H1N1 shots will be distributed almost immediately to physicians' offices to inoculate, adults 24 and younger, adults through the age of 64 with chronic illnesses, and children who missed school clinics. Staff in doctors' offices will also receive the vaccine.
Then, finally, as early as January, the dissemination of the vaccine to everyone else could begin, Gifford said.
Gifford said the state last week received notice that it will be receiving more vaccine than it had anticipated.
"That's moved us up a lot," he said.
Also in January, another round of school clinics will start, but these will be for children younger than 10. They require a second shot to ensure full immunity.
Gifford said that H1N1 virus has killed 10 in Rhode Island since Sept. 1. The most recent death, on Dec. 9, was a woman from Kent County between 18 and 24 years old. The Health Department will not release H1N1 victims' home towns or ages. Spokeswoman Annemarie Beardsworth couldn't immediately say whether the woman had any underlying health issues or where she died.