FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE      CONTACT: Donna Tommelleo, 860-524-7313

September 24, 2009                                           donna.tommelleo@ct.gov

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state has enlisted more than 1,500 doctors and other health care providers to administer the H1N1 vaccine to Connecticut residents this flu season as part of a statewide vaccination plan. The Governor said the vaccine is expected to be available in the coming weeks and will be provided by the federal government to the state at no cost.

“This has been a tremendous response from our medical community and will help us protect as many of our residents as swiftly as possible, particularly the most vulnerable to this new, emerging virus,” the Governor said. “Our statewide inoculation plan is based on years of pandemic preparation between state and local health officials. The cooperation of hundreds of providers across the state is essential to mount a strong preventive response.”

The Governor said Connecticut is expected to begin receiving vaccine as early as the first week of October.  By mid-October, the state is expected to receive more than 500,000 doses, with subsequent shipments of 20,000 per week. 

The vaccine will first be made available to those who are at greatest risk due to complications of H1N1 influenza:  pregnant women, caregivers of children younger than age of six months, health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children aged six months to four years and children aged 5 to 18 with chronic medical conditions.

 The Governor will brief local emergency management officials on the statewide H1N1 inoculation plan during a conference call Friday.  Also participating in the call will be officials from the state departments of Public Health, and Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

The state began recruiting doctors and other health care providers in August to administer the vaccine.  Providers include private physicians, community health centers, hospitals, long-term care facilities, visiting nurse associations, retail-based outlets and public health providers.

State health officials also encourage Connecticut residents to get their seasonal flu vaccination, as well as the H1N1 vaccination.  The H1N1 vaccine is only effective against the H1N1 virus and does not protect against seasonal influenza. 

            For more information on the H1N1 virus of the seasonal flu in Connecticut visit: http://www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch

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