12/8/2009

Health department to offer free H1N1 clinic on Thursday

There will be a special free H1N1 influenza vaccination clinic only for Saline County residents from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday at the 4-H Building in Kenwood Park.

The immunizations will be available only to the following high-risk groups, according to a news release from the Salina-Saline County Health Department:

n All those ages 6 months through 24 years old

n All those who are pregnant

n Those ages 25-64 years old with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, heart, lung, diabetes, immunosuppression, or neuromuscular conditions)

n Household members and child care providers of babies younger than 6 months in the home

n Health care personnel -- must have employer identification

The health department will offer weekly H1N1 flu vaccine clinics every Thursday (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) from 2-6 p.m. at the 4-H Building in Kenwood Park. Monitor the news media for more information on new eligible priority groups each week.

The health department does not have seasonal or H1N1 flu vaccine available to the general public at this time.

Decisions on vaccination will be made on a weekly basis. Announcements will be made through the news media when vaccine is available for specific risk groups, so there is no need to call the health department about vaccine.

The earliest doses will be given to those groups most likely to have complications, hospitalization, and death from the H1N1 flu; and those most likely to be exposed to and spread the H1N1 flu. Additional shipments of vaccine are expected every week, and it is anticipated that within the next few months, there will be enough H1N1 flu vaccine to immunize everyone who wants it

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