Communities distribute H1N1 vaccine in Mass.

Unlike Rhode Island, Massachusetts has no uniform plan for distributing H1N1 vaccine.

There are 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts, and distribution varies widely from community to community.

For some, like North Attleborough, the vaccine is trickling in at about 100 doses a week and is going directly to the Board of Health. It is distributed directly to doctors’ offices in that community.

In New Bedford, the vaccine is going directly to doctors and hospitals, for the most part.

Dr. Athena Xifaris is a pediatrician in New Bedford.

“The volume of phone calls, the volume of patients we’re seeing has increased hugely, I mean in the past few weeks. So, it’s been a burden on the practice,“ Xifaris said.

The practice sees some 5,000 to 6,000 patients.  By virtue of the fact they’re children, they’re considered a priority for receiving the H1N1 vaccine.

“We have no control over what we receive,“ Xifaris said.  “The first week we received 100 doses, and it was the mist form.“

“So, then the next week I think we got the multidose vials, which contain the preservative Thimerasol, which some parents are concerned about,“ she said.

“Finally, this week—I think we’re in our fourth or fifth week of receiving vaccine—and we finally got those single-dose vaccines for the younger age group,“ Xifaris said.

Xifaris isn’t just a busy pediatrician, she’s also on the local board of health. The agency has received only a total of 100 doses, which is not exactly enough to hold a flu clinic.

“They actually gave it to the hospital because the hospital didn’t even have enough to give to their own health-care workers,“ Xifaris said.

Some of that vaccine also went to women who’d just given birth.

Xifaris said the city of New Bedford would like to hold school-based clinics when enough of the vaccine comes in.

But because no one knows exactly when, if and how much vaccine they’ll be getting on a weekly basis, Xifaris urged parents to take precautions.

“And to keep calling us weekly until we know we’re able to get enough vaccine for everyone,“ Xifaris said.

Depending on where you live in Massachusetts, most, if not all of the supply, could be funneled through a local board of health. 

Residents will want to call their board of health daily or weekly, as well as their doctor’s office.

Eventually, there should be enough to immunize anyone who wants the vaccine.