"State health officials said today they will begin recommending that health care providers and local public health agencies in Minnesota begin offering the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine to the full list of priority groups identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)," according to a news release.

Until now, with vaccine in very limited supply, vaccination efforts in the state have focused on a limited number of people who faced the highest risk from H1N1 influenza. Those groups are estimated to include about 718,000 Minnesotans, primarily children under 5, older children with underlying health problems, pregnant women and certain health care workers.

"With the supply and availability of vaccine in the state steadily increasing, it's now possible to begin ordering and providing vaccine for the entire list of CDC priority groups," according to Kris Ehresmann, director of the infectious disease division at the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The expanded list is estimated to include about 2.7 million people in the state.

Under the distribution system being used in Minnesota, MDH continues to order additional vaccine as soon as it is allocated to the state by CDC. The vaccine is then delivered directly to local health departments and health care providers.

People for whom the vaccine will now be targeted include those who are:

Age 6 months through 24 years, with or without a health condition that puts them at higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Age 25 years through 64 years with a chronic medical condition that puts them at higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
Pregnant women.

Health care providers or emergency medical services personnel.
Living with or caring for children under 6 months of age.

The supply is still limited, so people will still need to be patient and check with their health care provider or their local health department about the availability of vaccine in their area. Local health agencies and health care providers are also expected to make public announcements as more vaccine becomes available.

For more information, visit: mdhflu.com.