Photo by C. S. Goldsmith and A. Balish, Centers for Disease Control Image of the H1N1 influenza virus taken in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention influenza laboratory, May 2, 2009.

Walter Reed Army Medical Center officials announced yesterday that the H1N1 flu vaccine is not available at WRAMC.

“The H1N1 vaccine for active duty will be coming from the Department of Defense supply, which we anticipate arriving in November,” said Marilyn C. Algire, a registered nurse with Army Public Health Nursing at WRAMC.

Earlier this week, Walter Reed had a “very limited” supply of the H1N1 vaccine, according to Algire. She explained that supply came from the D. C. health department, “and per their contract, was only used for high risk civilians.”

Those individuals included pediatrics beneficiaries ages 6 months to 4 years, and those 6 months to 18 years with high risk medical conditions; individuals with household contact with children younger than 6 months; pregnant women; some health care workers; and caregivers or those individuals with household contact with children younger than 6 months.

Walter Reed continues vaccinating and administering FluMist nasal spray to eligible beneficiaries (dependents and retirees), as well as other groups, including active duty and health-care workers who have not already received the seasonal flu vaccine, according to a WRAMC announcement sent out yesterday.

In declaring a national emergency because of the H1N1 influenza, Obama said, “By rapidly identifying the virus, implementing public heath measures, providing guidance for health professionals and the general public, and developing an effective vaccine, we have taken proactive steps to reduce the impact of the pandemic and protect the health of our citizens.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has twice declared a public health emergency due to the H1N1 strain. The first came July 24, and the most recent was Oct. 1.

“As a nation, we have prepared at all levels of government, and as individuals and communities, taking unprecedented steps to counter the emerging pandemic,” Obama said. “Nevertheless, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic continues to evolve. In recognition of the continuing progression of the pandemic, and in further preparation as a nation, we are taking additional steps to facilitate our response,” the president said.

The declaration grants authority to the Department of Health and Human Services to waive legal requirements and gives medical facilities the ability to set up alternate care sites, modify patient triage protocols, alter patient transfer procedures and other actions to employ disaster operations and relief, Pentagon spokeswoman Rene White said.

Temporary waivers are petitioned to HHS by the individual medical facilities under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act. Although the president declared the pandemic a national emergency, waivers still require specific requests to HHS, and some state laws may need to be addressed, according to a White House statement released Monday.

“The H1N1 [pandemic] is moving rapidly,” White said. “By the time regions or health care systems recognize they are becoming overburdened, they need to implement disaster plans quickly. Adding a potential delay while waiting for a national emergency declaration is not in the best interest of the public, particularly if this step can be done proactively, as we are doing here.”

The most recent examples of a U.S. president granting the Section 1135 waivers was in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Hurricanes Ike and Gustav in 2008, the North Dakota flooding in March and as a protocol for January’s presidential inauguration.

“At this time, the Defense Department is evaluating the impacts the president’s declaration has on [defense department] H1N1 operations,” White said. “One of our first priorities right now continues to be vaccine availability and distribution ó first protecting uniformed personnel, deployed [personnel], training sites, ships afloat and submarines, as well as our health care personnel.”