Rating:

0.0 (0 votes)

The H1N1 virus is being blamed for two more deaths in Pima County. County health officials say two adults died at least a week ago. Both were women with underlying health concerns. Both died at home.

The deaths bring to five the number of people who have died from H1N1 in Pima County since April.

The two latest victims were not in the priority groups eligible to receive the first batch of the swine flu vaccine. And that's raising questions about the eligibility.

The women were 34 and 53, too old to qualify to get the H1N1 vaccine at this time.

Patti Woodcock, Community Relations Manager for the Health Department, confirms, "They are not in the priority groups right now for the vaccine."

Woodcock says, right now the Health Department can get only small amounts of H1N1. So it's reserving those amounts for specific categories of people. And, she says, generally the age cutoff is 24.

Woodcock explains, "Because when they get sick they get very, very, very sick."

Still, the deaths of a 34 and 53 year old raise the question is the county giving its limited vaccine to the right people?

Woodcock says, "Our concern right now is to follow the guidelines that have been set by the government and do the best we can."

Woodcock says, "Eventually there will be enough vaccine so everyone who wants one can get one. But it probably won't be until the end of November or the first part of December."

In the meantime, Woodcock says the Health Department has no choice but to follow the CDC guidelines.

She says, "We request it {vaccine} through the State of Arizona, who requests it through the CDC, and they establish the guidelines for its use."

We were not able to reach the CDC for contact.