This letter from the State Health Department was sent on 12-04-2009. H1N1 vaccine supply and demand are coming into balance, so the state is now recommending that physicians no longer need to limit the vaccine to high priority groups. The H1N1 vaccine is now available to anyone who wants it, although the focus should still be on priority groups.

Please see the letter from DHR below:

All,

 Historically, demand for seasonal flu vaccine has diminished greatlyfollowing the Thanksgiving holidays. We are seeing evidence via the H1N1 Call Center and email that demand for the vaccine is decreasing among the priority groups. Providers are beginning to ask us to lower their allocations or to pick up vaccine that they do not expect to use. However, demand remains high among those outside of the 5 priority populations, particularly those who are age 65 and older. Supply is also beginning to stabilize in comparison with demand. As of this afternoon, every provider who has submitted a signed provider agreement will have either received vaccine via transfer, redistribution, or direct shipment or will have an order placed for delivery next week.

 Given these conditions, we are relaxing the restriction of vaccination efforts. Effective immediately, you may provide the age-appropriate formulation of 2009 H1N1 vaccine to anyone age 6 months and older upon request. However, your promotion efforts should still be targeting those who are at highest risk, i.e., those who are in the 5 priority populations. An email/fax will be sent to our H1N1 providers later today (and into the weekend) with the same message.

 We understand that staffing will be an issue during the holiday season as employees take time off to be with their families. We are not asking that you take on any additional mass vaccination efforts as a result of this expansion. Please continue those activities you have already planned which focus on the priority populations.

 Thank you for all of your hard work. Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Michelle Conner, RN, MS, MBA

 Program Director, Infectious Disease & Immunization

Georgia Department of Community Health

Division of Public Health

2 Peachtree St, NW

Atlanta, GA 30303

 (404) 657-4226 (phone)