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The vaccine the health department received today is a LAIV or live, attenuated intranasal vaccine, which means it is made with live virus that has been “weakened”.  “Because it’s made with a live virus, not everyone will be able to take it,” said Sandra L. Park, A.R.N.P., Interim Administrator for the health department.  “Pregnant women, children under the age of 2, anyone with a pre-existing condition, such as asthma, or a compromised immune system should not take the nasal spray.  Healthy children over the age of two can receive the vaccine and they are one of the priority groups that we’re trying to reach, so the first doses will be given to healthy children.”  

Permission slips could be sent home to parents of children in pre-k programs beginning as early as today and teams of nurses from the health department may begin visiting the sites on Thursday to administer the vaccine.  Parents of children who do not attend pre-kindergarten programs may be able to obtain the vaccine from their pediatrician or family practice physician.  “Several of our physicians in private practice have agreed to make the vaccine available to their patients,” Ms. Park said.  “Parents can call their child’s doctor to ask if they will be providing the vaccine.”

The health department expects to receive additional shipments of injectable vaccine, which does not contain the live virus, in the coming weeks, although a definite delivery date is not available.  The first shipment of injectable vaccine will be offered to another priority group, pregnant women and mothers of infants under the age of six months.  As more vaccine becomes available other priority groups will receive the vaccine, including health care workers and emergency responders. 

The health department continues to encourage people to practice preventive measures, such as washing hands frequently with soap and warm water, or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs and sneezes and staying at home if they are sick.