Quick Poll
Do you give annually to the Coweta Can-A-Thon?
- Yes: 153
- No: 145
Total Votes:
Published Wednesday, November 04, 2009 in Local
Coweta Health Department again out of H1N1 vaccine
By Jeff Bishop
The Times-Herald
The Coweta County Health Department Tuesday was already out of the new shipments of H1N1 or "swine flu" vaccine, and Nursing Director Alice Jackson told the Coweta County Board of Health Tuesday afternoon that she isn't sure when more will arrive.
"We have been extremely busy the last couple of days," after the new shipment of injectable vaccine arrived, she said. After the initial 700 doses of spray mist vaccine ran out, the health department received 200 doses of injectable vaccine last Friday, and then another 200 that was "shared from Carroll County," she said.
"Some counties received twice what they asked for, and other counties received none," explained Dr. Michael Brackett, representing District 4 Health Services at the meeting, which was held at the health department building on Jackson Street.
"Some vaccine is coming from the private sector, from those who ordered maybe 1,000 doses and got 2,000 instead," said Brackett. "It's kind of helter skelter, but that's completely out of our control."
Those who have too much vaccine are now sharing with counties who have too little, he said.
Coweta County has fallen into the latter category. A sign was put out front Tuesday letting local residents know that no more vaccine is available.
Anyone looking for the vaccine is urged to use a list of H1N1 providers at the state Division of Public Health's Web site by clicking on the gold "locate provider" button on the homepage. http://health.state.ga.us .
Coweta County Commission Chairman Paul Poole asked if there is any way a list of local providers could be made accessible to the public.
"I don't think there's anybody locally but us," Jackson said. One doctor at Thomas Crossroads did receive a single shipment of 100 doses, but it quickly ran out, she said.
"I just know that a lot of people are spending a lot of time trying to find some," said Poole.
"I am trying to work with them the best that I can," said Jackson. "But it's like putting your finger in a dike."
Jackson said that people are watching television media reports, and they are often "just showing up" without calling ahead first.
"They'll just sit in the waiting room." she said. "So we've had some traffic issues."
Jackson said the health department has issued about 1,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine so far.
"And we're hoping to get more. We just don't know when," she said.
Brackett said that the district "had received so little" vaccine that people are expressing some anger because of its general unavailability.
"We can't make everybody happy," Brackett said. "But we are doing the best that we can."
He said the decision to put pregnant women at the top of the priority list makes sense because the vaccine then goes twice as far -- in what basically amounts to a "two for one."
"Of course that decision makes a lot of people mad," he said.
Protocols call for the administration of the vaccine shipments to be opened up afterwards to front line medical workers and children and a few other groups, and on the 10th day to other members of the public -- but the limited shipments mean that the 10th day inevitably never arrives. The vaccine is always gone before then.
"We are running out of it on the first day or so" after it arrives, he said. "So it's almost always going to pregnant women. And if that's the way it is, then that's the way it is."
Comment On This Story
Times-Herald.com does not necessarily agree with the comments posted below. Responsibility of comments rests solely with the writer. Comments posted in ALL CAPS will be deleted.
Submission of a comment does not guarantee publication. Comments will be posted by a moderator after being scanned for abusive language, relevance, etc. See our Comments FAQ for more details.
Yes Joe they are trying to help you unlike the private sector. So lets assume that big Pharma wasn't motivated by the government how much would this vaccine cost by the dose? Joe Cool you need the government running things for you. You and the rest of the republicans have screwed things up bad enough. Let us run things for a while. Now I know you will come back with some fox news nonsense but at least try to answer the Pharma question. Dash if republicans didn't cut the Social Security and Medicare taxes FOR THE RICH they would be in the black for the next 80 years. The republican low taxes for the rich and small ineffective government doesn't work.
Posted by chippy at 6:52 PM
Yeah the gov has done so a great job with medicare and social security that they will do a wonderful job on health care. Wait I believe the first two are broke. More people die from the regular flu then this strain. I believe you are the ignorant one.
Posted by Dash RIprock at 6:06 PM
I am not complaining about the gov trying to help me. The gov can't even get this right how do they plan to run health care for 360 million people that will involve alot more then a vaccine. People where you are from are so terribly ignorant.
Posted by Joe Cool at 6:03 PM
You guys are complaining about a public system that is trying to help you. The private sector isn't going to give free meds to your kids. Stop blaming the government for fixing your problems. The government is the reason this wont turn into the plague. People down here are so terribly ignorant.
Posted by chippy at 11:15 AM
You are right on the money. When the gov takes total control of health care you will be waiting months or years for some things. As for percentage of population without healthcare it is less then 15 percent of the population and most of those can afford health insurance but they are young and dont care till they get sick.
Posted by Joe Cool at 1:15 PM
People... The CDC has "promised" enought vaccine for every person who wants the shot...not happening! The limited supplies are an indicator of how the Fed's are playing cath up! The Swine flu wil have come and gone before enought vaccine is available! Cases of the swine flu are contiually increasing each day..who has the data on this? What are we facing and why has the Local government been "silent" on this?
Posted by Michael Shaw at 8:14 AM
So, Mrlee, is it your wish that many people be left without health care altogether so that some others never have to wait a little bit? You don't think, at all, that this is a disgusting reason to continue to deny preventative care to a significant percentage of the population? What exactly are we saying here? Go in a corner and die quietly so I can jump ahead in the line? That's the most twisted argument against a public option I have ever heard, and so many have been repeating it without even bothering to consider the implications. What kind of people are we turning into?
Posted by Elizabeth Wood at 7:18 AM
And we want universal healthcare? What do you think will happen when the government is over our medical treatment? Watch how they handle the "Cash for Clunkers" and our school systems. Everyone needs to vote to get rid of wasteful spending. No Work...No Healthcare! No more handouts!
Posted by Wise One at 6:32 AM
My child did get the vaccine, We had to wait a long time but she did get it. I am thankful. This is what we have to look forward to when they starting to rationalize medical care. Just wait.
Posted by Mrlee at 10:01 PM
First of all I want to say THANK YOU EVERYONE AT THE COWETA HEALTH DEPARTMENT!!! The staff there was very patient with all that has been going on. They are doing a great job of keeping there phone message up to date every morning. I wish the media would keep there web sites as up to date. I called on Tuesday and followed the instructions I was givin to come in. Yes I had to wait in line but the front desk staff was very polite and worked hard. As for Holli's statement you have the right to feel that way but if you are so worried about it then you would have been calling everyday and listen to the message just like everyone else who got it did. We had no problem getting it. Try all the surrounding counties the news keeps telling you about
Posted by Becky at 7:55 PM
I am appauled that when the vaccine is available everyone is getting it. When it first came out it was limited to 2 to 4 year olds. If I am correct protocol should dictate that children 6 months and older should be the first to get it since they are at higher risk. Pregnant women and health care workers also. Now everyone can get it and I can't find it anywhere for my child who has asthma. Boy government has really SCREWED this one up and our kids are dying because of it.
Posted by Lisa at 7:42 PM
Thank you Coweta County Health Department for a job well done. I think you guys did a great job with the large number that came in and received the vaccine. The staff there were friendly and very infomative!
Posted by Julie at 1:35 PM
My child tested positive for type A flu. The dr. office said this could be either H1N1 or seasonal flu. They don't know which, because the CDC is only testing people who are hospitalized. Now the flu has struck all of us in the house. The frustrating part is we will still need vaccinations against both flu and H1N1 because we don't know what type A we have, thanks to CDC restrictions on when they test. That is just plain dumb to me.
Posted by Sick and tired at 1:17 PM
I guess I should be thankful that my children and I had this God-awful crap in September.Now I don't have to be in a panic state of mind about it. My daughter's flu test read negative, so her doc said it was another virus, but my son tested positive for it a few days later. I even told the doc that one of my daughter's classmates had it, and he still refused to prescribe tamiflu because of her negative test. Since her test gave a false negative, my son and I had to suffer also. We survived, but it was very rough for us-fevers over 104, vomiting, extreme weakness, and secondary infections. Their peditrician didn't offer tamiflu. We had to ride it out and we all have asthma. My kids missed seven days of school. All doctors should prescribe antiviral meds for all people who come in with flu like systoms, even if their flu test reads negative! Good luck to all those who contract this nasty virus. Insist on antiviral meds if you suspect you have h1ni!!!
Posted by Leigh at 11:27 AM
I don't think they rationed this vaccine properly. Even on the news, healthy adults were given the vaccine if they were a 'caregiver'. Hope you are happy with yourself that babies who have medical problems are not able to get the vaccine because a selfish, healthy adult got one (not talking about preg women). If I was standing in line to get my child a shot and they offered me one, I would have refused. Thanks to our wonderful government on this one.
Posted by so sorry at 11:06 AM
My pediatrician said he has no idea when he'll get a shipment. He said the one and only shipment he received of nasal spray, came when someone from the CDC dropped it off at his office. He didn't even know it was coming. They just walked in and gave it to him. That's gov't run medical care.
Posted by Mama at 11:01 AM
It's all in "who you know" at the health dept as to whether or not you can get your H1N1 flu shot! Unfortunately I don't know anyone, so my kids won't be able to get a shot until it's perhaps too late!
Posted by Holli at 10:28 AM
It is amazing that no private doctor's offices are offering the H1N1 Vaccine. I guess that this is what we can look forward to in the government health care system. Hold on, we are in for a bumpy ride.
Posted by concerned at 9:41 AM
All that stupid provider locater does is tell you what doctors have signed up to have the vaccine. It doesn't mean they have it. Too bad those medically fragile children aren't college students. Colleges sure seem to have plenty of vaccine to give out. . . . doctor's offices, too.
Posted by sassy chick at 9:26 AM
I find it absurd that my medically fragile child on OXYGEN has to wait in line behind pregnant women. Sorry, the medically fragile should be ahead of pregnant women. This is absurd!
Posted by Mom at 8:39 AM
Finally - information leading to H1N1 providers. Very helpful, thank you.
Posted by T at 7:58 AM
My ob hasn't even gotten a shipment, and was told I should get the vaccine. The only thing is no place has it, and I only have 7 weeks left. So do I get it....most likely I won't, Ihave never had the flu, or flu shot. So I may take my chances.
Posted by yepyep at 7:31 AM
Most Popular
- Viewed
- Emailed
- Commented
- Biorkman's family asks everyone to 'stop sending cards'
- 81-year-old tries to set girlfriend on fire, sets house ablaze
- Schools continue search for thief
- 5-year-old wants Christmas cards
- Sick boy's request sounds similar to Shergold hoax
- Rezoning denied on 54, 16; OK'd on Lower Fayetteville
- Police still hunting for runaway probation violator
- Teen charged in string of robberies
- Judge denies new trial for wife convicted of killing her husband
- MLK to test Newnan's perfect record
- 5-year-old wants Christmas cards
- A Better Way Ministries makes move to Senoia
- Electronics recycling Wednesday afternoon at Newnan High School
- 81-year-old tries to set girlfriend on fire, sets house ablaze
- Rezoning denied on 54, 16; OK'd on Lower Fayetteville
- Police: Mail carrier found drunk, eating noodles
- Newnan has 4 voices on water panel
- Foundation backs charity clinics like one being proposed in Newnan
- Obituary: Mr. John Powell "JP" Smith
- Chubby Checker tickets still available
- Northgate's AAAA state title reign continues for third-straight year
- Be aware there are increased patrols on roadways
- Obesity, bad health troubling sign of times
- Rezoning denied on 54, 16; OK'd on Lower Fayetteville
- There's talk of a future need for an air traffic control tower
- High school coaches under pressure to win
- Schools continue search for thief
- Jobless rate rises; many job seekers 'giving up'
- Rash of thefts reported at Coweta schools
- MLK to test Newnan's perfect record
Chippy
11/9/2009
Link To This Comment
THe rich were already paying the majority of the taxes in this country. You liberals have done more damage to the country in 10 months then a republican could have done in 30 years. The democrats have been in charge since 2006. Lets see they were in charge of the housing mess the banking mess. Yeah you liberals are doing a wonderful job. You see us conservatives don't need the gov telling us how to run our lives I know you weak minded liberals do. Thats why you want big gov because you cant manage your on life you need someone else to tell you how.
Posted by Dash RIprock at 11:57 PM