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Adults with chronic diseases will be among those eligible to get H1N1 vaccinations during Saturday’s clinic at the Carter County Health Department, 405 S. Washington St.
The clinic will run from 9 a.m. until supplies of vaccine are depleted. Vaccinations are free. The clinic is limited to Oklahoma residents who are pregnant, adults who suffer from chronic illness, children six months to 18 years of age, infant caretakers and frontline health care workers who have direct contact with sick patients.
“The H1N1 flu virus continues to affect people in our community,” Carter County Health Department Executive Director Mendy Spohn said. “We know that the people in these priority groups are at greater risk, and we hope to reach as many of them as vaccine supplies allow on Saturday.”
The Ardmore clinic is part of a statewide H1N1 flu vaccination blitz Saturday to get those at highest risk immunized. Spohn said the other health departments in her district (Love, Jefferson and Johnston counties) will have some vaccine on hand for people in the priority groups during the week. Residents in those counties should contact their local health departments for times and dates when vaccinations are available.
The Murray County Health Department has also scheduled at vaccination clinic for Saturday.
The clinic will be from 8 a.m. to noon at 730 Cambridge Drive.
“We recognize that many Oklahomans are trying to obtain the H1N1 vaccine to protect their children or themselves from this new strain of flu. Although the amount of vaccine that our state has received so far is not enough to meet the demand, our goal is to deliver as many vaccinations as possible November 7th,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley said.
People seeking vaccinations will be screened to ensure that they meet the priority group definition for H1N1 vaccine. People not included in one of the priority groups or who are unable to attend Saturday’s clinic are encouraged to be patient, as new vaccine shipments arrive in Oklahoma each week. The Oklahoma State Department of Health is projected to receive H1N1 vaccine in weekly shipments through early January 2010.
In addition to providing vaccine through regularly scheduled clinics, county health departments have begun to distribute vaccine to certain private providers with an emphasis on practices that serve children.
Those seeking more information about the H1N1 virus are encouraged to call the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s toll-free H1N1 hotline at (866) 278-7134. Phones are answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Adults with chronic diseases will be among those eligible to get H1N1 vaccinations during Saturday’s clinic at the Carter County Health Department, 405 S. Washington St.
The clinic will run from 9 a.m. until supplies of vaccine are depleted. Vaccinations are free. The clinic is limited to Oklahoma residents who are pregnant, adults who suffer from chronic illness, children six months to 18 years of age, infant caretakers and frontline health care workers who have direct contact with sick patients.
“The H1N1 flu virus continues to affect people in our community,” Carter County Health Department Executive Director Mendy Spohn said. “We know that the people in these priority groups are at greater risk, and we hope to reach as many of them as vaccine supplies allow on Saturday.”
The Ardmore clinic is part of a statewide H1N1 flu vaccination blitz Saturday to get those at highest risk immunized. Spohn said the other health departments in her district (Love, Jefferson and Johnston counties) will have some vaccine on hand for people in the priority groups during the week. Residents in those counties should contact their local health departments for times and dates when vaccinations are available.
The Murray County Health Department has also scheduled at vaccination clinic for Saturday.
The clinic will be from 8 a.m. to noon at 730 Cambridge Drive.
“We recognize that many Oklahomans are trying to obtain the H1N1 vaccine to protect their children or themselves from this new strain of flu. Although the amount of vaccine that our state has received so far is not enough to meet the demand, our goal is to deliver as many vaccinations as possible November 7th,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley said.
People seeking vaccinations will be screened to ensure that they meet the priority group definition for H1N1 vaccine. People not included in one of the priority groups or who are unable to attend Saturday’s clinic are encouraged to be patient, as new vaccine shipments arrive in Oklahoma each week. The Oklahoma State Department of Health is projected to receive H1N1 vaccine in weekly shipments through early January 2010.
In addition to providing vaccine through regularly scheduled clinics, county health departments have begun to distribute vaccine to certain private providers with an emphasis on practices that serve children.
Those seeking more information about the H1N1 virus are encouraged to call the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s toll-free H1N1 hotline at (866) 278-7134. Phones are answered from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
CLARIFICATION
This article in Thursday’s paper gave the impression that H1N1 flu vaccinations would be available for all adults with chronic illnesses Saturday at the county health department. That is not the case.
Vaccinations will only be available to adults ages 19 to 64 with chronic illnesses. Those 65 and above with chronic medical conditions do not fall within the high priority groups who are designated to receive the H1N1 vaccine now.
Because the H1N1 flu virus primarily affects children, young adults and pregnant women, elderly residents will have to wait a little longer to get free H1N1 vaccinations through local health departments.
Carter County Health Department Administrative Director Mendy Spohn said she plans to have flu vaccination clinics targeted for older adults in the future. The health department expects to receive weekly vaccine shipments through January 2010 and should receive sufficient supplies to vaccinate everyone who wants protection against the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu.
The Ardmoreite apologizes for any misunderstanding that may have resulted from this article.
Steve Biehn, 221-6546
