The department will target the initial doses of LAIV primarily to healthy school children between the ages of 5-9 years with a smaller proportion of the available supply being used for college students in settings where disease outbreaks have occurred and are ongoing. Efforts will be made to distribute vaccine to the three areas of the state that are experiencing the highest numbers of cases: namely the southeast, southwest and north central districts.

The department anticipates pandemic H1N1 flu activity in the coming weeks to increase in younger populations in schools and institutions of higher education. The department believes it is very important to begin vaccination for children under 10 years of age, as early as possible, because they will require two separate doses of pandemic influenza H1N1 vaccine.

Eventually, anyone who wants the vaccine will be able to get it after the needs of those in the high-risk/priority groups have been met.

Today's webinar and pandemic H1N1 influenza information is available at www.H1N1inPA. Information is also available at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health