H1N1 vaccine to be offered Friday in Payette
By Brandi Stromburg
Argus Observer
Thursday, October 29, 2009 4:02 PM PDT
Payette — The H1N1 vaccine will be offered during a vaccination clinic set from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at the Payette Primary School, 1320 Third Ave. N.
No appointment is necessary and vaccine will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
The vaccine is free. Both H1N1 live, attenuated (weakened) flu nasal spray (flu mist) vaccine and H1N1 inactivated vaccine (injections) will be offered to the priority groups as defined by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. No seasonal flu vaccine will be available.
Priority groups include:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
• People age 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Health officials say there should be a sufficient supply of vaccine, but if there is a large response requesting the vaccine and supplies are exhausted, the clinic may end earlier than scheduled.
“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. “Once we receive adequate supply of vaccine and good coverage of the priority groups has been attained, we will make the vaccine more broadly available for everyone that wants the vaccine.”
Krosch said that although no identification is required at the clinic, this vaccine is for Idaho residents only.
“We are also asking the public for their patience,” Krosch said. “We are offering this vaccine as soon as we receive supplies. We expect to receive a supply of H1N1 vaccine every week throughout November, but we could potentially run out of vaccine at any of our vaccination clinics. If this happens, you can come to other scheduled clinics within our six county area.
“Once we receive adequate supply of H1N1 vaccine, we will make the vaccine more broadly available for everyone that wants it,” he said.
Krosch also warned that no one should come to the clinics if they are ill. These H1N1 vaccination clinics are designed to dispense H1N1 vaccine only and are not designed to treat ill patients.
For questions, call (208) 455-5411(Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or visit www.swdh.org to download consent forms and complete them before you arrive at the clinic. If you do not have a computer, consent forms will be provided on site.
