Kent: H1N1 shots in for target groups

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Kent County Health Department received 5,200 doses of H1N1 vaccine this week and is beginning to send them to local health care providers to be distributed to patients in certain target groups.

But there was some confusion. The shots are there, but there aren't many of them, which is why it seems like there is a shortage.

It began Wednesday when the Kent County Health Department advised people to call their doctors offices about vaccine availability.

Offices were flooded with calls.

But still, the vaccines are only available to a target group.

People in that group include: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old, people between 6 months old and 24 years old and "people at high risk for the virus due to chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems."

In Kent County, that's about 300,000 people.

The department is not currently distributing the shots directly. A statement advises patients in those target groups to "contact their primary health care provider" to ask about the vaccine.

"Using local physicians is the best way to protect individuals in these target populations," KCHD Administrative Health Officer Cathy Raevsky said in the statement.

Giving the shots out in this way avoids the rush to find vaccine at one location, the statement read, which has caused lines and "unruly crowds at vaccination clinics across the nation."

Not all doctors offices want to distribute the shots. You'll have to check your doctor.

24 Hour News 8 was told if a doctor's office ordered more than 100 doses of the H1N1 vaccine, they will likely get a direct shipment from the manufacturer. Those practices that are getting the shots will be doing their own rationing given the short supply.

"(We've been) very, very busy," said Ann Ivy of the KCHD. "We know a lot of these offices so it's nice to see everyone, but we don't have a lot of shots. So, no one is getting more than 100 vaccines at this point."

Kids who are chronically sick will be first on the list.

But it's not just pediatric offices looking for the vaccine.

Ellen Van Artsen of Calvin College said the demand at the school is about 3,000 to 4,000.

"We'll have to go by the CDC guidelines," said Ellen Van Artsen of Calvin College. "Chronic illness people first."

Those who are not able to get the H1N1 flu vaccine through their health care provider will be able to get shots from directly the health department at a later date. Specifics will be released in the coming days, according to the statement from the health department.

Anne McCarthy, a mother, had her children vaccinated Thursday.

Yeah, my kids just got it," she said. "We're leaving the doctor's office right now. The office just got it in today."

Vaccines come in to county health departments usually once a week. Health offices divvy up the supply based on the number of requests. Some clinics are requesting thousands.