Ohio Dept. of Health, retail pharmacies join forces to combat H1N1

COLUMBUS, Ohio The Ohio Department of Health on Wednesday announced a public-private partnership with four retail pharmacy chains — Giant Eagle, Kroger, Meijer and Walgreens — to ensure sufficient antiviral medications are available this flu season.

“I’m pleased these retailers have agreed to join us in our effort to help Ohioans as the H1N1 virus continues to cause widespread illness,” stated Alvin Jackson, ODH director. “By putting these plans in place, we can ensure Ohioans will have better access to antiviral medications to treat H1N1 infections even when supplies are limited.”

Ohio is distributing medication from the state stockpile to these chains as needed to address any shortages in the commercial marketplace. The four pharmacies have stores in 70 of Ohio’s 88 counties. In counties where there is no retail presence, Ohio Department of Health will continue to work with local health departments.

In a separate announcement, government health officials announced Friday that vaccines for H1N1 will be available by Dec. 14 to any resident of Ohio who wants them.

Any resident of the state can get the vaccine through private physicians, government-approved health centers and local health departments as long as it is available, the state department of health said.

The state government said that it would continue focusing vaccination efforts on high-risk groups, including healthcare workers, pregnant women, people ages 6 months to 24 years, people living with or caring for children younger than 6 months and adults with chronic health conditions. All residents of the state will be able to obtain the vaccine starting Monday, regardless of whether they belong to high-risk groups. Nearly 2.3 million doses of the vaccine are available in the state.

“We continue to urge high-risk Ohioans to seek H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines,” ODH director Alvin Jackson, M.D said.