Today the DC Department of Health (DOH) announced the expected timeline for H1N1 vaccine availability in the District of Columbia. The first shipment of vaccine to protect against the new H1N1 influenza arrived early this week. Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for who should be a priority to receive the vaccine, healthcare workers were the main recipients of the first shipment. As more vaccine arrives, DOH will distribute the vaccine to other priority groups and the general public.

The H1N1 vaccine is the most effective way to protect yourself from getting the virus. When the vaccine is available, residents are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine, particularly those who are considered high priority,” said Pierre Vigilance, MD MPH Director of the Department of Health. “Residents should still cover their cough, wash their hands and stay home if they are sick even after they receive the vaccine to prevent the spread of H1N1 and other illnesses.”

DOH encourages residents who fall into a priority group to get the vaccine when it becomes available to them. There will eventually be enough vaccine for everyone in the District. Details regarding specific vaccine locations and times will be released within the next few weeks. DOH is monitoring rates of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the District and will alert residents to any changes in the disease and vaccination schedule. 

Priority Groups

Individuals considered a priority by DOH and the CDC are:

• Health care workers and emergency medical responders
• Pregnant women
• People caring for infants under 6 months of age
• Children and young adults from 6 months to 24 years
• People aged 25 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions such as asthma or diabetes 

H1N1 Vaccination Information (as of 11/13/2009)

Patient Category	Expected Vaccine Availability	Location*	# of Shots Required
Health Care Workers	Beginning the week of Oct. 5, 2009	Your workplace	1
Pregnant Women	Beginning the week of Oct. 14, 2009	Your Obstetrician Pharmacies (mid December) Mass Vaccination Site (after Oct. 19)	1
Caregivers of babies under 6 months	Beginning the week of Oct. 19, 2009	Primary Medical Doctor Pharmacies (mid December) Mass Vaccination Site (after Oct. 26)	1
Children 6 months – 10 years old	Beginning the  week of Oct. 19, 2009	Primary Medical Doctor Pharmacies (mid December) School Mass Vaccination Site	2
Children 10 years – 24 years old	Beginning the week of Oct. 19, 2009	Primary Medical Doctor Pharmacies  (mid December) University Student Health Center School Mass Vaccination Site	1
Adults 25 years – 64 years old with underlying health conditions	Beginning the week of Nov. 2, 2009	Primary Medical Doctor Pharmacies (mid December) Mass Vaccination Site (after Oct. 26)	1
All Others	Beginning the week of Dec. 1, 2009	Primary Medical Doctor Pharmacies (mid December) Mass Vaccination Site (mid December)	1

* Information about locations of Mass Vaccination Sites and which pharmacies are carrying the H1N1 vaccine will be available in the new future on flu.dc.gov.

To find out more on the H1N1 vaccine and other H1N1 information visit flu.dc.gov or call the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311.