INDIANAPOLIS---Federal, state, and local officials were on hand at Wishard's Lockefield Village in Indianapolis to see the first doses of the 2009 H1N1 Influenza A vaccine being given to Hoosiers.  Health care providers and emergency medical services workers from Wishard Health Services received doses of the live, attenuated nasal mist form of the H1N1 flu vaccine.

According to State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe, M.D., the live, attenuated nasal mist form of the vaccine is only recommended for healthy, non-pregnant people aged 2 to 49 years

Dr. Monroe says a substantial supply of both the nasal and the injectable forms of the H1N1 flu vaccine is expected to be available in mid-October.  At that time, health officials will be targeting those groups who are at highest risk to get the H1N1 flu vaccine first, including:

·         Pregnant women;

·         Children from 6 months to 24 years;

·         People living with or caring for children under 6 months of age;

·         Individuals from 25 to 64 years of age with underlying chronic conditions or who are immune compromised; and

·         Health care providers and emergency medical services workers.

As information becomes available from the local health departments, the Indiana State Department of Health will post online where you can get the H1N1 flu vaccine at: www.in.gov/flu. 

The Department will also be offering a toll-free hotline for the public to call for information on the H1N1 flu and its vaccine at: 1-877-826-0011 or TTY 1-888-561-0044.  It will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Monday-Friday. 

"Don't get the flu, don't spread the flu, get vaccinated now," said Dr. Monroe.

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