ATLANTA --- Hesitation by most Georgians about getting the H1N1 vaccination is understandable, the head of the state's public health agency said Thursday, but she predicted that the most vulnerable would get inoculated soon.
Community Health Commissioner Rhonda Medows said she recognizes that it's a personal decision required for getting the nasal-spray or injection, since the government has recommended vaccination but not made it mandatory.
"We've had a disappointing number of parents bringing their 2- to 4-year-olds in for the nasal mist," said Dr. Douglas Skelton, the director of the Coastal Health District.
Georgia is among the states experiencing the highest rate of infection, which has been blamed for 27 deaths so far. Four of those were children, and two were pregnant women. All of those killed, except for one of the children, already had a serious medical condition when the virus struck.
More deaths could be attributed to the virus, which is also called swine flu, as postmortem lab results develop, Ms. Medows said, noting that pneumonia and congestive heart failure are common causes of death that could have been triggered by the virus.
The state has reserved its initial 50,000 doses of the vaccine for pregnant women, children ages 2-4 and people with underlying medical conditions. The second batch of 50,000 doses is aimed at healthy children, and the third shipment that size will go toward medical workers and those who provide care to young children and to their parents and siblings.
"The target population is huge," Ms. Medows said. "We're trying to be a little bit strategic. We are asking healthy adults to wait."
Many of them are waiting, and many parents in the target group are waiting as well, according to district health officials.
Some people have expressed fears that the vaccine hasn't been sufficiently tested for safety and that preservatives added to it might trigger autism. Most state and federal health officials dismiss those concerns.
Ms. Medows remains optimistic that demand for the vaccine will pick up as those most in need consider it more.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Where was this vaccine made?
I have no intention of getting a vaccine that has not met the strict approval requirements that all other drugs must meet by the FDA. This vaccine was pushed through without meeting those requirements and how do we know if the alleged deaths are not a result of bad vaccine? Thanks but no thanks.