Lisa Schnirring * Staff Writer
Oct 5, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – The nation's first doses of the pandemic H1N1 vaccine were administered today, mainly to a limited group of healthcare workers and emergency medical service workers, while some physicians' offices fielded calls about when the vaccine would be more widely available.
Federal, state, and local officials were on hand to witness the events today at medical facilities in Memphis and Indianapolis. The very first doses were given to healthcare workers at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center in Memphis, according to a press release from the hospital.
Doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists who work in the hospital's emergency department and intensive care units were in the first group to receive the live attenuated nasal mist form of the H1N1 flu vaccine, made by MedImmune. Pediatric physicians, residents, and infectious disease specialists were also among Le Bonheur's first recipients.
About 150 workers lined up to receive the vaccine.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has singled out healthcare workers as the top priority group to receive the vaccine when supplies are slim, as they are now during deliveries of the first doses to states.
Keith English, MD, Le Bonheur's medical director of infectious diseases, said in the press release, "It's important that our healthcare system is able to respond to the needs of our patients. This vaccine is one way we as healthcare workers can make sure we're healthy and there for our patients when they need us."
Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said, "Today we are beginning to turn the tide in the fight against the H1N1 flu virus. We are excited to begin to protect those who care for others."
Meanwhile, officials were also on hand to see healthcare workers at an Indianapolis health center receive some of the nation's first pandemic flu doses, according to a press release from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). On Oct 1 the state placed an order for its first shipment of 28,700 doses.
Judy Monroe, MD, Indiana's health commissioner, said she expects a substantial supply of the vaccine to arrive by mid October when officials will be targeting high-risk groups, including pregnant women, children from 6 months to 24 years old, people who take care of babies, and adults with underlying medical conditions.
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Source: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/oct0509firstdoses.html 
