First round of H1N1 vaccines to target young

Pennsylvania health officials say the first round of H1N1 vaccines will target the young. And, some city schools will offer on-site vaccinations.

Pennsylvania health officials say the first round of H1N1 vaccines will target the young. And Wednesday the city of Philadelphia ordered about 10,000 doses of the vaccine. Some city schools will offer on-site vaccinations.

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[audio: 090930sdswineflu.mp3]

Department of Health officials say since the beginning of September, 70% of reported influenza cases have occurred in students aged 24 or younger.

The commonwealth will receive 58,500 doses of the LAIV nasal mist vaccine in the next week.

Since children under ten need two doses of LAIV for it to become effective, Acting Physician General Stephen Ostroff says this round of vaccines will be reserved for healthy school children aged 5 to 9.

Ostroff: While these are the first doses, these are by no means the last doses. And we anticipate that a great deal of vaccine will become available over the next several weeks.

The vaccinations will be distributed to doctors and schools in Southeastern, North Central and South Western Pennsylvania, where H1N1 rates are highest.

Ostroff says parents should contact their physicians, or get in touch with the Health Department, for more information about the vaccine.