Enough Vaccine for All?

by Jason Allentoff

The H1N1 Influenza has been in the news constantly during the last six months. Ever since the first case was reported, it seems like almost daily we're being bombarded with messages about hand washing, the symptoms and now the vaccine. Last week, it was reported nationally that there is a shortage of H1N1 vaccine and federal officials are working to make sure there is enough to go around.

Although production is running several weeks behind schedule, the Ocean County Health Department is confident they will have enough syrum to go around to the high risk groups and to anyone who wants it.

So lets run through the numbers. Ocean County received 3,000 doses of the nasal mist vaccine and 4,000 of the injectible one. They've also ordered 10,000 additional more. Ok so that's 17,000. Early estimates for the 2010 census show the county could have close to 600,000 residents! There's obviously a deficit.

However, Dr. Ella Boyd with the Health Department says not everyone will want or even need to be immunized. She says "as long as 70 percent of the population gets the vaccine, they're counting on something called herd immunity to take care of the rest." She adds "If you have enough people immunized, you end up breaking the chain of transmission and that's what we are hoping for."

Many have been concerned about the safety of getting their kids yet another immunization. Dr. Boyd says "the risks for the swine flu outweigh the possible vaccine side effects."

Health department staffers dispense the stuff to the high risk groups in the form of a shot today at Jackson Liberty High School from 3 - 7:30 p.m. Another clinic is set for Thursday at Southern Regional Middle School from 3 - 7:30 p.m.

For more information, call 732-341-9700 extension 7-5-0-2.

Tomorrow, we conclude our four part series.