FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 12, 2009

H1N1 priority groups expanded metro-wide

Metropolitan area Health Departments announced today that, due to greater availability of H1N1 vaccine, the priority groups will be expanded according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

The expanded priority groups include:

• Pregnant women
• Children and young adults  from 6 months through 24 years old
• Adults 25 to 64 years old with significant chronic health conditions
• Household contacts and caregivers of children under six months
• Health care workers

Unfortunately, those 65 years old and older are not yet eligible for H1N1 vaccine according to CDC guidelines. Unlike with regular seasonal influenza, those over 65 have been less likely to become infected than the expanded priority group.

“We would like to thank the public, health care providers, and the media for helping us adhere to the more strict priorities, also recommended by the CDC, because of the early lack of vaccine,” said Dr. Rex Archer, director of the City of Kansas City, Mo., Health Department. “Now that we have more vaccine available, we are able to return to the original priority groups set by the CDC.”

For more information, contact your local health department or visit www.preparemetrokc.org.

###