October 12, 2005
To: All Vaccines for Children (VFC) Providers
Re: State-Supplied Influenza Vaccine for Children
(Update 2005-2)
Fluzone-PF® (Preservative Free) Allocation
The Rhode Island Department of Health has recently received another allocation of Fluzone-PF® flu vaccine. This delivery brings us to approximately 40% of our total allocation for the year. We will make this vaccine available for pickup at the Rhode Island Department of Health or your regular pharmacy depot on Thursday, October 13, 2005 after 1:00pm. Your allocation will be based on the amount of vaccine you had requested in response to the Influenza Vaccine Survey: 2005-2006 Flu Season (1 st survey sent June 15, 2005; 2 nd survey sent September 1, 2005). Combined with the vaccine already allocated to you on September 27, 2005, this allocation should fulfill approximately 40% of your Fluzone-PF® request.
As the Rhode Island Department of Health receives more flu vaccine, we will send out additional Vaccine Updates about distribution and allocate the vaccine according to the amount you requested in the Influenza Vaccine Survey. Please do not fax any requests for vaccine, as they will not be responded to.
In order to pick up vaccine, you must bring photo identification (driver’s license) and an appropriately sized cooler (with ice packs) to protect the cold chain.
Please remember that prior to October 24, 2005 you should be administering flu vaccine to high-risk individuals only.
With your allocation of flu vaccine, you will also receive a handout explaining the upcoming changes to the vaccine distribution program. Please read the handout thoroughly, and note that the changes take effect November 1, 2005. For questions regarding flu vaccine orders or the changes in the vaccine distribution program, please feel free to contact Mark Francesconi, Vaccine Manager, at 222-5988 or markf@doh.state.ri.us.
For information about dosage and administration of influenza vaccines, refer to the vaccine package insert and the ACIP statement: Prevention and Control of Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) MMWR July 29, 2005 / 54(RR08);1-40.
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