H1N1 vaccination clinics set to open
By LARRY MEYER
Argus Observer
Friday, October 16, 2009 11:42 AM PDT
CALDWELL —
Southwest District Health officials are beginning to open H1N1 flu vaccination clinics to the public in the six counties it serves. However, the earliest there will be one in either Payette or Washington counties is Oct. 30, at the Primary Elementary School, 1320 Third Ave., Payette.
There is no date and place set for Washington County.
According to the announcement from district health spokesperson Laurie Boston, the first clinic will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. — or as long as the supply of vaccine lasts — Saturday. The location is the former Sportsman Warehouse, 16865 Marketplace Blvd., Nampa.
“No appointment is necessary, and vaccine will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis,” Boston said.
Both H1N1 flu nasal spray vaccine and H1N1 shots will be available to the priority groups as defined by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
Priority groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old and people ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
“We strongly encourage all of our residents that don’t fall into these priority groups to let those more at risk get their vaccine first,” Bruce Krosch, Southwest District Health director, said in the announcement. SWDH expects to receive a supply every week throughout November but is scheduling the vaccination clinics before the entire supply is received, Krosch said. “We expect to receive a supply every week.”
As soon as there is an adequate supply and good coverage of priority groups is attained, the H1N1 vaccine will be more broadly available, Krosch said. The Malheur County Health Department is still vaccinating high- priority people, including health care workers and pregnant women. School vaccinations are scheduled to start Tuesday, beginning with Annex, Pioneer, Four Rivers, St. Peter’s and TV Christian. Thursday they will be at Adrian schools and at Oregon Child Development Coalition. The complete schedule is on the health department’s Web site.
