Madison Co. to get 400 doses of H1N1 flu mist

MADISON COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) - In Madison County, health officials are trying to figure out what to do with H1N1 flu mist vaccine. They are expecting a delivery this week that no one seems to want.

According to Kellie Kelley, spokeswoman for the Madison County Health Department, "Well, in the beginning, we thought we were going to be getting 1300 doses of the H1N1 live virus mist vaccine."

The first shipment was due as early as October 9, but October 8 the state notified Madison County it would only be getting 400 doses.

The smaller supply came as almost good news because county health officials can't give it away. The first offer went to Anderson Community Schools.

"We've decided to give all injectable vaccine. There are health risks that would make it dangerous to give the live virus so we're just going with the injectables for the schools," said Anderson Community Schools Head Nurse Nancy Catto.

Kelley said emergency responders declined too citing; "Why do we want to start the momentum of trying to vaccinate health care providers and then we have to stop."

Kelley said even pediatricians don't want to be bothered with the limited supply.

So, the flu mist was offered to the sheriff to give to juvenile and adult inmates. Initially, Kelley said the offer of 1300 doses was accepted but not now.

The jail commander who declined an on-camera interview told 24-Hour News 8 that the sheriff has declined the 400 doses.

Kelley said a county health committee will decide soon what to do with the live vaccine if it arrives.

If some 16,000 injectable H1N1 vaccines arrive, they will go first to school children and pregnant women.