Delaware Academy of Family Physicians

Home   |   Contact   |   Sitemap

visit AAFP.org

Interested In Keeping In Touch?

Sign up for our free newsletter today!



Check out AAFP's award-winning site for patients:
familydoctor.org

Delaware Academy of Family Physicians

Important Information for Physicians - Novel H1N1 Vaccine in DE

back to news

From the Delaware Division of Public Health
  
Important Information for Physicians about novel H1N1 Vaccine in Delaware
 
Dear Providers:
 
Influenza season is fast approaching and Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) is preparing for the possibility of increased cases of novel H1N1 Influenza virus this fall. We are depending on you to ensure both the seasonal flu vaccines and the H1N1 vaccine are administered to your staff and patients.  Some important information and steps to take are outlined below. 
 
Seasonal Flu Vaccine vs. H1N1 Flu Vaccines
The seasonal flu vaccine is currently available in Delaware. The H1N1 vaccine is expected in mid-October with very small amounts slated to arrive in late September. Unlike seasonal flu vaccine, the H1N1 vaccine distribution is determined and coordinated by the state and we need you to pre-register now (see details below). 
 
Priority Groups
Currently H1N1 vaccination is restricted for use in the following populations: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people ages of 25 through 64 years of age with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. As the vaccine arrives in Delaware, we will be prioritizing within these priority groups (see below). As vaccine production continues, the vaccine will become more widely available to all these priority groups and eventually to the non-high risk population. 
 
Vaccine Allocation
The allocation of vaccine is dependent on the supply received and may change weekly due to vaccine production. Availability of the H1N1 vaccine is dependent on this and completion of clinical trials.  Though we expect to receive the vaccine soon, we are unsure in what quantities.  DPH plans to focus its initial distribution of vaccine on the most vulnerable groups based on epidemiological data: pregnant women (via Obstetricians and Gynecologists and hospitals); young children, ages 6 months through 4 years of age, especially those with underlying illness (via Pediatricians and Hospitals); and caregivers of pregnant women, infants, and young children with underlying illness (hospital staff in Maternity and Newborn Nursery/NICU, and pediatric inpatient units). Shortly thereafter, it is expected that more vaccine will be available to cover other members of the priority groups. Though some individuals may receive the vaccine at work or school, the majority of patients will receive the vaccine through their medical homes or in community settings. As H1N1 vaccine becomes available, DPH will coordinate shipment and allocation of vaccine with providers. H1N1 vaccine is free and comes with needles, syringes, alcohol wipes, sharps containers, clinical recommendations and some patient documentation. Federal guidance on the amounts providers can charge for vaccine administration is not finalized but will be included in the final terms and conditions form that providers sign before receiving their vaccine orders. 
 
Register Now
Below is a non-exhaustive list of the providers that may pre-register. It is critical that pregnant women, children (especially those 6 months through 4 years of age) and people who live or care for children younger than 6 months get vaccinated for H1N1. We are encouraging all physicians but especially Obstetricians, Gynecologists, Pediatricians, Family Physicians and Hospitals who care for pregnant women and children to pre-register to provide H1N1 vaccinations.  If your facility does not fit under any of these categories, you may indicate that under “other” on the form.
  • Obstetric / Gynecology
  • Pediatric Practice
  • Family Practice
  • Hospital
  • Internal Medicine
  • Federally Qualified Health Center
  • Occupational Health
  • School or College
  • Urgent Care Center
  • Community Vaccinator
  • Long Term Care / Assisted Living
    •
 
Key points about vaccine registration
  • The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is establishing a pre-registration process for all licensed immunization providers interested in administering the H1N1 vaccine.
  • Providers are cautioned that the pre-registration process as outlined here may be subject to change depending on unforeseen factors affecting the distribution of H1N1 vaccine. Any change(s) to the proposed plan will be communicated through various methods including the DPH website www.flu.delaware.gov.
  • Pre-registration is free and registered providers are not committed to order or administer the vaccine, but may receive updates and vaccine planning information. Depending on the final distribution plan, they will have the opportunity to order vaccine as outlined by the final terms of the H1N1 vaccine distribution program.
  • Pre-registration will collect the shipping and contact information necessary for the shipment of vaccine to providers. In addition, providers will be asked to estimate the number of persons they realistically intend to vaccinate and the type of vaccine they expect to use (nasal or injectable). Only providers with active licenses and in good standing in the state of Delaware need register.
  • Providers already enrolled in the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program will be expected to make the H1N1 vaccine available to their VFC clients that seek it. Their estimates should therefore include both their VFC and non VFC (private) clients. 
  • Registered providers will receive email and/or fax updates to assist with pandemic vaccine administration planning.
  • The Pre registration form is currently posted to the State of Delaware web-site at http://www.dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/files/h1n1providerpreregform.pdf. Forms should be returned by September 30, 2009.  
 
The Delaware Division of Public Health hopes you will help ensure Delaware’s population is vaccinated against Seasonal flu and H1N1 influenza. If you have any questions, please contact DPH’s Immunization program at 1-800-282-8672. Additional information on seasonal influenza and the novel H1N1 influenza can be found at www.cdc.gov and www.flu.delaware.gov.