The long-awaited supply of H1N1 vaccinations, amid a national health emergency declared by President Obama, will be short-lived, according to the Madison and Dane County Public Health Department.
According to a statement released Friday, all supplies of the vaccine will be ""virtually exhausted"" by Monday, Oct. 26.
According to Jeff Golden, communications manager for the health department, new shipments are expected to arrive in upcoming weeks, but the department cannot predict when that will be.
The statement also said that when the vaccines do eventually arrive, there would likely be not enough to meet the needs of the entire community.
Together with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the city and county department has determined a new list of who would be in greatest need of the vaccination.
These groups will be the first to receive the vaccine, the statement said.
High-priority vaccination groups include health-care and emergency medical services personnel, pregnant women, children aged six months to four years old, people who live in the same house as infants less than six months old, as well as children and teenagers from five to 18 years old who have certain medical conditions that make them more susceptible to H1N1.
Golden said in the statement the department would host special vaccination clinics for high-risk citizens unable to access the vaccine through an established provider. All school vaccination clinics will be cancelled beginning Monday, but will hopefully be able to reopen by November.
The health department is also encouraging community members to not call their health-care providers about when the vaccine will be available. The health department recommended that if someone has flu-like symptoms, they should call their provider before going. If a person does not have a health-care provider, they are encouraged to call United Way 211 or 246-HELP.
Health officials said regular updates will be issued as the situation progresses.
