Up-to-date information is also available online and on Twitter Annapolis (October 19, 2009) -County Executive John R. Leopold today announced that he is increasing the number of telephone operators who will be answering questions about the H1N1 vaccine as call volume increases. "Anne Arundel County was one of the first in the State of Maryland to make the H1N1 vaccine available to residents, and we have already administered thousands of doses to the high-priority groups," County Executive Leopold said. "While patients have reported positive experiences with receiving vaccine by appointment to avoid long lines, some potential patients have been unable to get through to an operator on the phone due to high call volume. We are expanding the number of phone lines from nine to 30 so more callers can talk to a live person." The Health Department has all vaccination appointments filled for the rest of this week. Supply of vaccine is dependent on availability from the federal government and is currently for County residents in the high priority groups only. This includes pregnant women; people who live with or provide care for infants less than 6 months old; health care and emergency medical services personnel; people 6 months through 24 years old; and people aged 25-64 who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. The latest H1N1 information is also available on the County’s homepage, www.aacounty.org, and the Health Department’s page, www.aahealth.org, as well as www.twitter.com/aahealth. Residents should also contact their private doctor, as some individual providers now have vaccine supplies for their patients. The Flu Vaccine Information Line, 410-222-4896, is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments are currently closed until the Health Department receives the next supply of vaccine. Health officials expect vaccine to be delivered on a weekly basis. As soon as additional vaccine becomes available, the Department will announce that information through the media and on our Web sites, and will again schedule appointments for both the injectable and nasal spray H1N1 vaccine. | 
