Department of Health to conduct statewide clinics to administer free H1N1 vaccine

The Department of Health today announced it will conduct statewide clinics from Nov. 20-22 to administer free H1N1 vaccine to individuals in the recommended target groups that have not had previous access to the vaccine.

Individuals in the recommended target groups must schedule an appointment time, day and location prior to the clinic in order to receive the H1N1 vaccine. This will help ensure that the correct type and amount of vaccine is available at each location.

"Our goal is to get the H1N1 vaccine to as many people as possible who are at risk of suffering serious complications from the virus," said Deputy Secretary Michael Huff. "These public health clinics will help us do just that with the amount of vaccine that is currently available to us."

The department asks that only individuals in the following groups attend the clinics:

• Individuals between the ages of six months and 24 years;
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than six months;
• Pregnant women;
• Healthcare providers and emergency medical services personnel; and
• Individuals under 65 years of age with underlying health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, and neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders.

A total of 18 health clinics, three in each of the department's six districts, will be held on Nov. 20, 21 and 22. Clinic hours on Friday, Nov. 20 and Sunday, Nov. 22 will be 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Hours on Saturday, Nov. 21, will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.