H1N1 vaccines start to trickle in

MAT-SU — New doses of the H1N1 vaccine will trickle into the Valley in the next several days, but the limited number means only priority groups can expect to receive one of the first shots.

According to state health officials, the Mat-Su Public Health Clinic will get 170 injectable and 350 nasal spray swine flu vaccines on Thursday or Friday. The Fred Meyer and Carrs stores in Wasilla and Palmer will each get 10 doses of the injectable and 10 to 20 nasal sprays, as will Walgreens in Wasilla.

“It’s not a lot, but we are putting it in the pharmacies and the public health center so the priority people can walk in and get it,” state health spokesman Greg Wilkinson said.

He said he hopes people don’t rush to the pharmacies to get the vaccine. More shipments will come in each week until the end of December. He emphasized everyone who wants the vaccine will eventually be able to get the vaccine.

“We are asking people to be patient,” Wilkinson said. “Let those who are really vulnerable go first.”

The state defines five priority groups:

• Pregnant women.

• Household and caregiver contacts of children younger than 6 months old.

• Health care and emergency medical personnel.

• People between 6 months and 24 years old.

• People between 25 and 64 years old with an underlying medical condition associated with a higher risk of complications with the flu.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.