Dec. 2--The desperation among parents and the sick for H1N1 vaccine appears to have dwindled, along with the flu season itself.
That's why Utah's 12 health departments are close to giving the vaccine to anyone, not just those in high-risk groups including children, the chronically ill under age 65 and health care workers. The change could occur by mid-December.
Health departments in Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties this week have struggled to book vaccine appointments for the prioritized groups.
On Monday, Davis County had 9,000 tickets to give away and distributed just 1,800. It will continue to disperse tickets through the week. For the first time in four weeks, Salt Lake County on Tuesday didn't set all of its 7,200 appointments within minutes.
Utah County also has slots available for Thursday.
"If we don't get a big influx of people trying to get these 9,000 vaccines, all we can do is decide it's time to take care of the general population," said Bob Ballew, Davis County Health Department spokesman.
But that decision hasn't been made officially because leaders of the 12 health departments haven't agreed it is time.
Some believe they have reached the high-risk groups; others, including Salt Lake County, say they haven't. While each health department could relax the rules for their districts, officials want to do so together to avoid confusion.
Still, Davis and Utah counties already have unofficially made their doses available to those older than 65 with chronic conditions.
Lance Madigan, Utah County Health Department spokesman, said other groups are asking for it, too, including school teachers and family members of high-risk individuals. He said the state could decide to open the doses to those subgroups or more broadly.
He said arguments for loosening the rules are that "it seems like we have a surplus. The demand is dropping off. We've got people not in the priority groups asking for it."
Ballew said Davis County's public health workers are reluctant to turn people away, even if they aren't in the priority groups. "If someone comes up and has a good reason why they need the vaccine, we're going to listen to them."
But Pam Davenport, Salt Lake Valley Health Department spokeswoman, said her department continues to receive calls from people in the high-risk groups who haven't been vaccinated.
For now, public health officials are urging the priority groups to get vaccinated before rules change -- particularly children 9 and younger who need a second dose.
The ideal spacing between doses is 28 days. If children get the booster later the first dose won't be wasted. But if children are exposed to the virus between the doses, they won't be as optimally protected, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
"With the availability we have right now of times and the availability of the vaccine, this is a great time," Ballew said.
Tribune reporter Maria Villasenor contributed to this story.
To get an appointment for H1N1 vaccine:
Salt Lake County -- Make appointments at www.slvhealth.org or call (801) 743-7280 starting at 9 a.m.
Davis County -- Get tickets at the Davis Conference Center, 800 W. Heritage Park Blvd, Layton, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Thursday.
Utah County -- Make appointments at http://www.co.utah.ut.us/dept/Health/Index.asp
To get a seasonal flu shot:
Deseret First Credit Union is hosting public clinics from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at three branches. H1N1 vaccine will not be available. Community Nursing Services will administer the shots for all ages on a first-come, first-served basis. Without insurance, vaccinations are $25 for a shot and $30 for nasal mist. The locations are:
390 S. Main St., Bountiful
10588 S. Redwood Road, South Jordan
337 N. State St., Orem
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