Sanofi-Pasteur vaccine first shipment to arrive: Limited amount to be offered to infants
HEIDELBERG, Germany — Army health clinics will begin vaccinating infants six months to four years from an initial shipment of H1N1 flu vaccine arriving soon for non-uniformed beneficiaries.
The first shipment of roughly 2,000 doses of Sanofi-Pasteur H1N1 flu vaccine is due to arrive in Europe around Thanksgiving Day, but the small size of the shipment will mean continuing limitations on who will receive it, said leaders at the Europe Regional Medical Command.
"With few doses coming in this first shipment, the ERMC leadership decided to limit this batch to infants six months to four years," said Army Col. Theresa Moser, director, Force Health Protection, Europe Regional Medical Command. She said that was the one age group where the vaccine had the highest potential to prevent serious illness and that hadn't been afforded any vaccine yet.
A panel of medical experts considered a number of options for sharing the limited supply. Although it won't cover the entire population of infants, it wouldn't have covered any other target group entirely, either. The fact tipping the scales toward infants was that the vaccine destined for uniformed service members and those at high risk from medical complications if they contract the flu wasn't FDA approved for those aged six months to four years. So, no infants at greater risk from complications have received the vaccine.
"More vaccine is destined to come our way, and eventually we expect to have enough for everyone," Moser said. Until larger shipments of the Sanofi-Pasteur vaccine arrive, beneficiaries are being asked to remain patient while those at most risk are vaccinated. Dates for follow on shipments are not yet available.
"The Army's portion of the current shipment is being distributed equitably among all clinics in Europe based on computer records of how many infants are registered beneficiaries in each community," Moser said. She urged those seeking the vaccine to contact their clinic before they visit. Each clinic will also work closely with garrison leaders to announce availability.
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