Young folks from 2 to 24 can now get the new flu vaccine.

The Georgia Division of Public Health (DPH) has expanded the priority groups able to receive the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine. Earmarked last week for toddlers, the vaccine is now available first come, first serve at county health departments for children and young adults ages 2-24 years, healthcare providers, emergency responders or caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age.

DPH Communications Officer Hayla Hall said the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is now available at the Coweta County Health Department and all health departments in 12-county District 4 area in the form of nasal-spray flu vaccine, also known as LAIV (live attenuated influenza vaccine).

Hall said that appointments at the health department are not required, adding that the vaccine will be given on a first come, first serve basis. H1N1 vaccine is being provided by DPH free of charge, although administration fees may be charged to insurance providers, Medicaid or Medicare, Hall said.

DPH expects that additional nasal spray vaccine and a shipment of H1N1 injectible vaccine is expected soon but no delivery date has been given at this time, Hall explained.

“Our first shipment of H1N1 shots will be given to pregnant women and people in the current priority group who cannot receive nasal spray flu vaccine,” said DPH Dist. 4 Director Dr. Michael Brackett.

Though approved for persons ages 2-49, there are a number of exceptions associated with receiving the nasal H1N1 vaccine.

Exceptions include pregnant women; anyone with a weakened immune system; anyone with a long-term health problem such as heart disease, kidney or liver disease, lung disease, metabolic disease such as diabetes, asthma, anemia and other blood disorders; children younger than 5 years with asthma or one or more episodes of wheezing during the past year; anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems; anyone in close contact with a person with a severely weakened immune system (requiring care in a protected environment, such as a bone marrow transplant unit); and children or adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment.

The Coweta County Health Dept. is located at 137 Jackson Street in Newnan and can be contacted at 770-254-7400.

District 4 Public Health has activated a regional public health hotline at 888-899-9788 that provides callers with H1N1 vaccine availability information. People can also get information on H1N1 vaccine availability at www.district4health.org.

For more information on seasonal and H1N1 flu visit www.flu.gov.

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