FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 9, 2004) Governor Ernie Fletcher announced today that Kentucky will receive an estimated 97,000 doses more of flu vaccine through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) national reallocation effort.

In addition to the 97,000 doses, local health departments are currently being shipped the remainder of their original vaccine orders.

"This is good news for those Kentuckians at high risk for complications from flu who have not yet received the flu vaccine," said Governor Fletcher. "I commend the partnership at the state, local and federal level and between the public and private sector to address the flu vaccine shortage in Kentucky."

The vaccine will be used to help address local shortages at health departments, nursing homes, hospitals and private providers. The Department for Public Health is working with local health departments to estimate the flu vaccine needs of communities. Nursing homes, hospitals and private providers should contact their local health departments to communicate additional needs and for more information about reallocation efforts.

Acting Commissioner of Public Health Dr. William Hacker said, "We hope that this additional vaccine will allow most high risk individuals in Kentucky who seek vaccination to receive the flu vaccine. And again, we thank those healthy Kentuckians for voluntarily going to the back of the line this year so those most in need can be protected first."

The groups at higher risk for complications from the flu are: all children ages 6 - 23 months, adults 65 and older; persons age 2 - 64 with chronic medical conditions; women who will be pregnant during flu season; residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities; children 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy; health care workers involved in direct patient care; and out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months old.

The nasal-spray flu vaccine is an acceptable alternative to the flu shot for healthy persons ages 5-49 years.

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