Flu Vaccine
There are no public H1N1 Flu vaccine clinics scheduled.
You Can Still Get Vaccinated Against H1N1
Adults & children can receive first or second H1N1 flu doses at a local Health Department District Office, or contact your doctor's office.
All of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine has expired now, but there is plenty of flu shot vaccine.
There are no public Seasonal Flu vaccine clinics scheduled.
Contact your doctor or other health care provider about obtaining seasonal flu vaccine.
Vaccine may also be available at physician offices, some hospitals, and area pharmacies such as Shaws-Osco, Rite Aid, Walgreens, & Walmart.
Health Commissioner Wendy Davis, MD administers a dose of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine to Kala Correia, age 20.
H1N1 Vaccine
Get Vaccinated
Public Vaccine Clinics
You can get the H1N1 flu shot or nasal spray vaccine at one of the public vaccination clinics held around the state.
School Based Clinics
School-aged children can also be vaccinated at school-based clinics.
Many health care provider offices, some hospitals, and certain area pharmacies, such as Shaws-Osco, Rite Aid, Walgreens, & Walmart may also offer vaccine.
Vaccine Information
Governor Douglas explains to Jim Hensen's "Sid the Science Kid" why children need to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus.
H1N1 Vaccine Information
Protect yourself & your family: Get vaccinated
- Vaccinations are provided at no charge
- No documentation or insurance cards are needed
- You can attend any clinic, anywhere
Vaccine Supplies
Available to All
There is enough vaccine in Vermont for anyone who wants to be vaccinated against the H1N1 flu. The vaccine is available to people older than six (6) months of age.
Health Department continues to recommend that people who are most at risk for serious complications from the H1N1 flu virus get vaccinated as soon as possible.
People at greatest risk for serious illness from the new flu include: pregnant women, children age 6 months through 24 years, older people through age 64 with medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease, caregivers of babies too young to be vaccinated, health care and emergency medical services personnel.
Who should get vaccinated
The Health Department recommends that everyone age 6 months and older be vaccinated.
We strongly encourage Vermonters who are most at risk for serious complications from the H1N1 flu virus to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
- Pregnant women
- Household contacts & caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
- Healthcare & emergency medical services personnel
- All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
- Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from flu
Contact your health care provider or dial 2-1-1, if you have questions.
Vaccine clinics will often have both the flu shot & nasal spray.
The 2009 H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is recommended for use in healthy people ages 2 years through 49 years of age, who are not pregnant. Because the nasal spray includes a weakened live virus, contact your health care provider about whether this vaccine is appropriate for you.
About the H1N1 Vaccines
Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Vaccine Supply
We are not expecting new supplies in any large amounts. However, some vaccine does occasionally arrive.
The Health Department does not control the distribution of Seasonal Flu vaccine. When we become aware of available vaccine supplies, any public clinics will be listed. You may also want to also check with your doctor or local pharmacies to see if they have received any.
- Public Clinic Finder
- Your health care provider or local pharmacies may also occasionally receive small supplies.
Why was there so little vaccine?
Seasonal flu vaccine was produced and distributed as it has been every year, usually by the manufactures to pharmacies and providers. This is different than for the H1N1 vaccine, which is a unique system coordinated by the CDC and the states to address the pandemic nature of the H1N1 influenza.
The main reason why there was almost no seasonal flu vaccine is that far more people went out and got vaccinated. They turned out in greater numbers, and earlier in the season than usual.
At the same time, national vaccine manufacturers were also moving their resources toward production of the H1N1 flu vaccine.
The dominant flu virus this season has been H1N1, seasonal.
Obviously, we wish there was plenty of seasonal flu vaccine. There are signs, however, that the dominant flu this season will continue to be the H1N1 virus, and there is a steady supply of that vaccine.
Because so many people have already been vaccinated against the seasonal flu, and most new flu cases are expected to be H1N1, this may mean that people who could not find seasonal flu vaccine will be that much less likely to contract the seasonal flu.
Check with your doctor
Limited amounts of vaccine are occasionally arriving in Vermont. Contact your health care provider to see if have received vaccine. If you have special health concerns, ask about whether they recommend anything else for your particular health situation.
Get a pneumococcal vaccine.
As your physician about getting the pneumococcal vaccine to protect against pneumonia. This is particularly recommended for seniors and others who may be at risk of complications from the flu.
If you feel ill, call your doctor.
If you feel ill, or have flu-like symptoms, call your provider. He or she may recommend antiviral medication, which is available and usually effective.
- See also: What to do if you get sick
Take everyday precautions to keep illness from spreading
- Wash your hands often and well
- Cover your cough when you cough or sneeze
- Stay home from work or school and away from others when you are sick – for at least 24 hours after your fever has gone.
Vaccine Safety
The benefits of immunization outweigh the risks. All vaccines, including the H1N1 vaccine, are held to the highest standard of safety and are continually monitored.
Each year, millions of Americans safely receive seasonal flu vaccines. The H1N1 vaccine is made the same way as seasonal flu vaccine by the same companies that make seasonal flu vaccine. The NIH has conducted clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine has been tested and safely used in children, pregnant woman, and adults.
The H1N1 vaccine can prevent serious illness or even death, especially for people at serious risk for illness. Not getting vaccinated means you put yourself at risk. If you become ill, you may also risk the health of people you come in contact with, such as young children or people with cancer.
H1N1 Vaccine
Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine
- Questions & Answers about the Seasonal Flu Shot
- Thimerosal in Seasonal Flu Vaccine
- Seasonal Flu and Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
Contact the Department of Health
If you have questions or need information about the 2009 H1N1 flu or the seasonal flu, explore our Web site, or dial 2-1-1.
To contact the Department of Health:
E-mail: vdhco@vdh.state.vt.us
Find your local Health Department District Office
Page updated: March 26, 2010