H1N1 vaccine now available to all in Chattanooga

In Chattanooga, H1N1 vaccine is now available through the public health department to anyone age 65 and younger, local health officials said Friday.

Like public health departments nationwide, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department until now had prioritized vaccinations for certain high-risk groups because of limited supply.

But the department finally is receiving a steady shipment of vaccine supply, spokeswoman Jennifer Yim said Friday.

The new eligibility guidelines apply to both the vaccine in shot form and the nasal spray FluMist, she said, although only healthy, nonpregnant people are medically approved to receive the nasal spray.

High-risk groups are still being prioritized for vaccination in North Georgia counties, as the supply of vaccine is still very limited, public health officials said.

Murray and Whitfield Counties have been cleaned out of vaccine for a couple weeks, but small quantities are available in Dade, Walker and Catoosa counties.

Logan Boss, spokesman for Northwest Georgia Public Health, said the state is focusing on getting vaccines to private physicians who have not yet received any vaccines before shipping more to public health providers.

"We know we'll be receiving more soon," he said.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

To make an appointment for the free vaccine, call the health department's hot line at 209-8393 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

INJECTABLE VACCINE ELIGIBILITY

Applies to areas around Chattanooga:

* Pregnant women

* People 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions

* Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months

* Health care and emergency medical services personnel

* Everyone 6 months to 24 years old

FLU MIST

In Murray and Whitfield counties and Northwest Georgia counties, healthy, nonpregnant 2- to 24-year-olds are eligible for the nasal spray.