H1N1 VACCINE TO BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE

H1N1 VACCINE TO BE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE

“After more than a month of distributing vaccine to at-risk populations, the Wayne County Health Department will open vaccination clinics to everyone regardless of age or health status beginning December 15,” said Susan Varnes, RN and Public Information Officer for the health department.

Varnes said, “Our last school-based clinic was on December 8, and we have scheduled clinics for everyone else. Individuals who are 25 and older may now get the vaccine regardless of their health status. The 65 and older age group has been asking for vaccine, and they are now eligible to receive it.”

Health officials recommend that individuals with a high risk for developing the flu get vaccinated. High-risk individuals include pregnant women, people ages 6 months to 24 years, health care workers, and people 24 to 64 years old with chronic medical conditions.

Varnes said the flu clinics held for the at-risk population only had a moderate turnout. She said she is unsure what the turnout will be when the vaccine is open to the entire population.

Nearly 2.3 million doses of the vaccine are currently available in Ohio and more arrives each week.

For more information on vaccines, visit www.flu.gov. or access the Wayne County Health Department’s website at www.wayne-health.org for clinic information.