State Health Department Recommends Wider use of 2009 H1N1 Vaccinations for All Coloradans

December 9, 2009 

DENVER - The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment today officially recommended that public health agencies and health care providers make 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccinations available to all individuals as supplies allow, providing access beyond just the high-risk populations.

While most Coloradans can receive the vaccine, people who should NOT receive the influenza vaccine include:

•        People allergic to eggs and persons who have had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccination

•        People who got Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) within six weeks of getting an influenza vaccine

•        Children less than 6 months of age

•        People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated).

 "Our local public health partners have indicated that they have successfully met all or nearly all of the demand for vaccine from those in the national priority groups, and because of their hard work in meeting this need, they are ready to provide access to this important vaccine for the rest of the population who seek it," said Ned Calonge, the state's chief medical officer. "The federal government is continuing to send vaccine to the state, and as our supply continues to improve, we want to promote it for all those who want this protection." 

So far, the state health department has arranged the delivery of more than a million doses of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to all local public health agencies and approximately 1,500 providers. State and local public health agencies have worked collaboratively in distributing in nine weeks what typically would be distributed in an entire flu season.

"We are very appreciative of our local public health agencies' efforts to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine to their clients, and of the public's patience in waiting for the immunization," said Calonge. "This unique flu season has put our state public health system, as well as those we serve, to the test."

A total of 1,925 hospitalizations from 53 counties have been reported in Colorado so far this flu season. A total of 57 deaths (9 pediatric and 48 adult) have been reported. State laboratory surveillance continues to show that virtually all influenza viruses currently circulating in Colorado are 2009 H1N1 virus.

People with questions about H1N1 are encouraged to call CO HELP at 1-877-462-2911 or go to http://www.colorado.gov/nofluforyou. For information on flu vaccination clinics, go to http://www.immunizecolorado.com/.