Health Department urges those eligible to receive spray H1N1 vaccine
11:01 a.m.
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TIMES ARGUS STAFF - Published: November 12, 2009
MONTPELIER -- With swine flu vaccine at a premium, the Vermont Health Department is urging those who are eligible for the spray mist vaccine to accept that form, reserving the flu shots for the high-risk Vermonters who especially require that form.
The spray mist contains a live, weakened virus that cannot cause flu illnesses, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some people have been reluctant to receive that form because of the live virus.
The flu shot contains no live virus.
Vermont Health Commissioner Wendy Davis stressed today that the mist is a safe form of the vaccine for most people. Davis said people between the ages of 2 and 49 who do not have serious medical conditions should opt for the mist form of the vaccine, reserving the limited number of flu shots for those with conditions who need it most.
Davis said that more than 38,000 doses of both forms of vaccine have been administered in Vermont, and more is on the way.
She said a public flu clinic scheduled for Saturday in Burlington will only offer the nasal spray vaccine because flu shots are not available. But Davis said she expected flu shots to become available in the future.
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