VA expects to administer 3 million doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to veterans and VA staff.

by Larry Scott, VA Watchdog dot Org

-------------------------

Earlier we had reported some confusion at VA facilities regarding availability of the H1N1 flu (swine flu) vaccine.

Some facilities told us that they would offer it ... while others were saying they would not.

Now, we have the official word.

VA will be offering H1N1 vaccine.

The VA web site has set up a H1N1 flu page ... here ...
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/h1n1flu/

From that page:

2009 Flu Vaccination and VA: This year, VA hopes to give more than 3 million Veterans and VA staff seasonal flu vaccine and is preparing to give H1N1 flu vaccine to a similar number of Veterans and VA staff, if it is approved for use. At the request of the White House, VA is also preparing to help vaccinate some other Federal employees as well.

The page also has tips about flu prevention.

And, many VA hospitals have a "flu line" you can call into for the latest information in your area.

At my VA facility (Portland, OR) the "flu line" states that the vaccine will be available in mid-October and that it will be offered first to "high-risk" patients as detailed by the CDC.

I know there is a lot of hype, much of it negative, about the H1N1 flu vaccine.  All I can tell you is to do your homework and make an informed decision about getting the vaccine.

-------------------------

TOPICS: veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs, H1N1, vaccine