October 13, 2009
Fox Valley public health officials and healthcare systems announced that there is a delay in receiving seasonal flu vaccine.
Regional healthcare systems – Affinity Health System and ThedaCare – are postponing public vaccination clinics scheduled after 10/17/09 for seasonal flu until further notice. This action is being taken due to a delay in vaccine shipments from the manufacturers charged with delivering both seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccines. Remaining seasonal flu vaccine is being prioritized to at-risk populations including:
- Children ages 6 months to 18 years
- Pregnant women o People 50 years of age and older
- People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
- People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
- People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu including:
-Household contact of people at high risk for complications from flu
-Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children less than 6 months old
-Healthcare workers
It is expected that additional doses of seasonal flu vaccine will be available to all those who would like vaccinations. Shipments are expected by the end of November, which is only a few weeks later than normal. More information will be released as vaccination clinics are rescheduled. Please be aware that Wisconsin seasonal influenza normally peaks in January and February and there will still be ample time to offer immunizations.
Public Health and local healthcare providers will continue to communicate to the public as more information about the shipment of seasonal influenza vaccines becomes available and vaccination clinics are rescheduled. We appreciate the public’s patience during this delay.
For more information, please visit www.affinityhealth.org or www.thedacarenow.org.
Contacts: City of Appleton Health Official Kurt Eggebrecht - (920) 832-6429
Maria Heim for Affinity Health System - (920) 554-0686
ThedaCare Marketing via pager - (920) 554-0730