Due to unexpected delays in H1N1 vaccine production, counties across Oregon are canceling vaccination clinics and limiting access to supplies on hand.

For example, the Multnomah County Health Department has announced that as of Oct. 24, H1N1 vaccinations will only be available to pregnant women and children under age 5. This determination is based on the severity of illness and complications that these groups have experienced. 

All community vaccination clinics in Multnomah county scheduled after Saturday, Oct. 24 have also been canceled. More vaccine is expected to arrive this week in private clinics that serve pregnant women and children under 5. Check the Multnomah County Health Department Website at  http://mchealth.org/swineflu/ for updates on this situation.

On Friday, Oct. 23, Josephine County declared a state of emergency due to the pandemic flu's stress on the health care system there. A statewide declaration of emergency is not merited at this point because DHS is able to deploy supplies and resources to local communities.

Oregon's Public Health Website, www.flu.oregon.gov and the statewide influenza hotline at (800) 978-3040 have the most up-to-date information about H1N1 in Oregon and vaccine clinics across the state.

The OMA is in the process of collecting information to share with members regarding employers' obligations under Oregon law to provide immuizations to health care workers. We will continue to keep our members posted as new information about the influenza pandemic and its implications become available.