Mich. gets first batch of swine flu vaccine

First doses go to health workers, others at high risk

Kim Kozlowski / The Detroit News

The first doses of swine flu vaccine have arrived in Michigan but most healthy adults will not be able to get the shot for several weeks, state health officials say.

More than 36,000 doses of the H1N1 nasal spray earmarked for health care workers arrived in several counties last week, while shots for the general public are expected to start arriving this week. The immunization effort is aimed at curtailing an anticipated second wave of the pandemic that, according to the World Health Organization, has sickened 340,000 people and killed 4,100 around the globe since April.

During the first weeks of distribution, Michigan health officials are encouraging health providers to give priority to health and emergency care workers; pregnant women, children and youths 6 months to 24 years old; people caring for infants less than 6 months old and those with underlying health conditions.

"We want people to get vaccinated but we also want people to be understanding of our priority groups, said James McCurtis, state health department spokesman. "They need to get vaccinated and taken care of."

That means Deb and Jim Ochs of Bloomfield Hills may have to wait several weeks to get the vaccine, even though their two children, ages 9 and 11, could get it sooner.

"I want to get it, but we won't hold up the kids getting it," said Deb Ochs, 49, whose family gets seasonal flu shots every year. "I am confused as to how it's going to all work. I am just going to trust the system."

By the end of October, about 1.4 million H1N1 vaccine doses will be in the state at doctor's offices, clinics and county health departments, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health. More are expected weekly through January, barring any delays or shortages. Retailers that normally carry the seasonal flu vaccine will not have the H1N1 vaccine initially, but are expected to get it in the future, though it's unclear when.

When priority groups are vaccinated, health fairs will be held for the general public, likely in November, officials said.

Residents are encouraged to call their family doctor first to see if they will be administering the shot, then turn to their local health departments if their doctor does not have it. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan's 2-1-1 line is also being promoted as a statewide resource for flu information.

Cases of seasonal and swine flu are increasing weekly in Michigan as the highly anticipated H1N1 vaccine trickles in. Nearly 30,000 people have reported flulike symptoms since Sept. 1, including 68 probable cases of the H1N1 strain. Another 28 people have been hospitalized and five people have died in Michigan since Sept. 1.

As of Thursday, states had ordered 3.7 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine, with 6.8 million more doses available. More doses will become available over time, officials said.

"We're very confident that there will be plenty of vaccine for everyone who wants to be vaccinated," Thomas Frieden, CDC director, said last week.

The swine flu vaccine arrives as some residents say they aren't planning to get immunized.

Though the H1N1 shot has been approved by the FDA, some people are leery of it because it was put on the fast track and some information online is stirring up fears.

Some people say they just don't feel they need it.

"I don't get the flu, why get the vaccine?" said Angela Golden, 40, of southwest Detroit. However, she will insist that her 16-year-old daughter, who is pregnant, get the H1N1 vaccine. "I don't want anything happening to my grandbaby."

Some parents may not get their children vaccinated against swine flu. The University of Michigan's National Poll on Children's Health this month showed that less than half of the parents in the United States expect to get their children vaccinated. Among them is Cassandra Trevino, who isn't planning to get her 1-year-old daughter, Ameris, the vaccine.

"Those flu shots always seem to hurt the most," said Trevino, 23, of Belleville.

Jennifer Rincon also isn't planning on getting her three children vaccinated.

"There haven't been enough studies on it," said Rincon, 34, of Dearborn. "The FDA's (approval) isn't enough for me. It needs to be out for awhile."

According to the U-M poll, only 39 percent of health care workers intend to get the H1N1 vaccine. At the same time, the survey of 2,365 adults showed that nearly 90 percent of the public supports mandated H1N1 vaccination of health care workers.

"I don't trust the government," said Michelle Bentley, a home health care worker based in Southgate, who also works as a paraprofessional in the schools and struggles with asthma. "They haven't tested it enough. I'll take my chances."

But health officials say they are hearing the opposite.

"I am hearing more excitement (from people), and when is the vaccine going to be available," said Kay Renny, R.N., Manager of Community Programs for the Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan.

Those with concerns should read credible health Web sites, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov, and remember the vaccine has been through clinical trials that have deemed it safe, said Renny.

"Vaccination," Renny said, "is the first step in prevention."

In the meantime, health officials are educating citizens about the importance of getting the vaccine, and utilizing good habits to avoid the flu until the vaccine becomes available to the general public.

The Detroit Department of Health and Wellness has coordinated a group of volunteers that have distributed 150,000 pieces of literature in the schools and community, and plan to distribute 350,000 more fliers.

"It's going to be a while before we get the H1N1 shot out to the general population," said Walter Davis, pandemic flu coordinator for the Detroit health department. "Getting the literature and the information out is the best way to give people a defense against catching and spreading H1N1."

kkozlowski@detnews.com (313) 222-2024