Fill-in-Blank News Release for County Health Departments

For Release: October ___, 2004
Contact: (Administrative Director)
________ County Health Department
(Telephone #)

Flu Vaccine Shortage Prompts Exercise Cancellation

_____________ County Health Department Prioritizes Vaccines

The ________ County Health Department has cancelled plans for a free influenza shot clinic scheduled for ___________ because of shortages in vaccine resulting from vaccine manufacturer Chiron’s inability to deliver vaccine this year.

“We are focusing on persons at high risk of influenza complications,” said ________, County Health Department Administrator. “We are encouraging healthy people to remember that prevention is the best approach to influenza season. Covering your mouth when you cough and washing your hands often will greatly reduce the spread of influenza.”

The following are priority groups for vaccination:

• persons over 6 months of age with underlying chronic medical conditions;
• adults aged 65 years and older;
• all children aged 6–23 months;
• health-care workers involved in direct patient care;
• all women who will be pregnant during the influenza season; and
• out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of infants.

Oklahomans are encouraged to check with their private health care providers and clinics as alternative sources for getting the influenza vaccine.

The ________ County Health Department was part of an eight-county exercise by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. The goal of the exercise was to prepare for the type of mass immunizations that might be required in the event of a terrorist attack, a naturally occurring disease epidemic, or other public health emergency.

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