November 20th, 2009

Reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

In the past several weeks, as the H1N1 flu has swept through the nation and health officials scrambled to find scarce vaccine, questions have been raised about how Pennsylvania chose to handle the process of distributing the limited doses available.

“There’s no rhyme or reason as to how it’s being delivered. It’s very chaotic. Until it arrives on our doorstep, we’re not aware of what we’re getting or in what amounts,” said Kathy Guatteri, executive director of Children’s Community Pediatrics, a group of 28 pediatric practices associated with Children’s Hospital. Each of those practices had to place its own separate request for vaccine.

The combination of a vaccine shortage with a distribution system based on pre-registration by individual providers and schools resulted in haphazard — and sometimes unexpected — deliveries that sent doctors offices or school officials scrambling and forced at-risk patients to chase information.

With the Allegheny County Health Department holding four free H1N1 vaccine clinics for at-risk groups tomorrow, as well as 18 state health department clinics scheduled across the state this weekend, some are wondering what took so long.

“Clearly, that’s the way it should have been done,” said Dr. Bruce Dixon, director for the Allegheny County Health Department.

Dr. Dixon said he had lobbied for a distribution system similar to that used in Ohio and West Virginia that would have sent vaccine to county or municipal health authorities that could then make sure those at highest risk, such as pregnant women, got the first doses.

“I was overruled,” he said.