Health departments in the Eastern Upper Peninsula are following priority guidelines handed down by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) when distributing the limited number of H1N1 flu vaccines available to area residents.

Luce, Mackinac, Alger, and Schoolcraft (LMAS) Health Department has reported it is out of the seasonal flu vaccine for adults and has no information when any H1N1 vaccine may arrive.

Health Officer Nick Derusha said the departments are letting local providers like Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace and Helen Newberry Joy in Newberry handle the distribution of vaccine, while recommending the health providers follow CDC's priority protocol.

"The vaccine is still trickling in," Mr. Derusha said Monday, October 26.

Updates about vaccination in Luce, Mackinac, Alger, and Schoolcraft counties can be found on the health department's Web site at www.lmasdhd.org or by calling (800) 562-4832.

Chippewa County Health Department currently has 400 vaccines for H1N1, both nasal spray and inoculated versions, but has run out of seasonal flu vaccines.

Chippewa County reports it is uncertain when more seasonal flu vaccines will be received. For now, the 400 H1N1 vaccines are being distributed using a priority list that favors pregnant women, caregivers for children up to six months of age, all those six months of age through 24 years of age, and those ages 25 to 64 with health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications.

Two H1N1 vaccination clinics were held earlier this week for pregnant women and Children's Special Health Care Services clients through the county health department. No new vaccination clinics are yet scheduled by the department.

Updates about vaccination in Chippewa County can be found on the health department's Web site at www.chippewahd.com or by calling 253-3141.