Sebelius: H1N1 Vaccinations "A Little Bumpy"
Speaking to CBS' "The Early Show", Sebelius said "we won't have as much as everybody wants right away," but the nation would have "good supply" of the specialized flu vaccine in October and urged people to prepare for vaccinations.
CBSNews.com Special Report: H1N1
A nasal spray version of the vaccine was , but not to everyone. Those at risk for flu complications – such as pregnant women, children under age 2 and people over 49 – are not eligible for the spray vaccine, Sebelius said.
"It's a fairly limited group," she said.
The injectable vaccines are, however, recommended for five primary groups: pregnant women, caregivers for children under 6 months, health care workers, people age 2 to 24 and older Americans with underlying health conditions.
Sebelius said an injectable vaccine will be available by the end of the week.
"So as soon as we have any vaccine available, we're pushing it out to 90,000 sites around the country, which have been identified at the state and local level as the most appropriate places," she said.
When asked by "Early Show" anchor Harry Smith about reports that doctors in some states, particularly New Jersey, had little information about the vaccine's availability, Sebelius said "each state and local unit of government has developed a plan."
"We now have a great tool on our Website - Flu.gov - where people can go and visit, click into your state and find localized information. Because those decisions are being made on the ground."
Sebelius said the vaccines' production is actually 10 days ahead of schedule.
H1N1 Flu Information on the Web:
Flu.gov
CDC Flu Advice
CDC Flu Questions and Answers