The Department of Health Services announced Monday that it is expanding the H1N1 vaccination group to include healthy school age children and young adults.

During the past few weeks, DHS has been monitoring the vaccine supply with public and private providers, as well as allocations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Based upon the H1N1 vaccine supply and feedback from providers, Wisconsin is returning to the original CDC target group recommendations.

“We applaud the work of providers across the state in working to reach those individuals with underlying health conditions, which make them more-at-risk for influenza complications,” said State Health Officer Dr. Seth Foldy. “We’re pleased that we are able to expand the group even further today as we know that vaccine is one of the most successful tools in protecting the health of people in our state.”

With the expansion, Wisconsin’s public health organizations and private health care providers will have the flexibility of vaccinating individuals within the CDC’s original target group.

This includes:
Pregnant women

Persons who live with or provide care for infants age 6 months or younger (examples: parents, siblings, daycare providers)

Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

All people from 6 months through 24 years of age

Persons 25-64 years of age with conditions associated with higher risk of complications from influenza

Wisconsin has been allocated, or assigned, more than one million doses of H1N1 vaccine by the CDC.

However, there is still not enough to open vaccinations to the general public statewide at this time.

DHS continues to monitor the vaccine supply and will continue to expand the vaccine groups as quickly as possible.

Additional vaccine will be manufactured and distributed throughout the influenza season and the CDC is indicating there will eventually be enough vaccine for anyone who wishes to receive it.

People may call 2-1-1 to find out an H1N1 or seasonal influenza vaccine clinic nearest them. A “clinic finder” is also available online at http://pandemic.wisconsin.gov or www.wisconsinfluclinic.info.