The Pottawatomie County Health Department, in collaboration with the Shawnee Public Schools, will host an H1N1 vaccine clinic on Thursday, Nov. 19 at Will Rogers Elementary School. The clinic is scheduled from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“We are encouraging all parents to take advantage of the H1N1 clinic for their children. We are hosting the clinic at Will Rogers Elementary School, but are encouraging everyone in the outlined high risk/priority groups to participate. We are providing the vaccine to these groups in hopes of lessening the impact of the H1N1 virus”, said Tina R. Johnson, administrative director for Pottawatomie County Health Department. Priority groups include the following:
• All children ages 6 months – 24 years of age
• Pregnant women
• All health care and emergency medical services personnel
• Any person who lives with, or provides care for infants less than 6 months of age.
• Persons 25 – 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.
The vaccine will be available in the injectable and nasal spray form. The nasal spray known as Flu Mist is approved for healthy persons 2 – 49 years of age who are not pregnant and who do not have any underlying, medical conditions.
Johnson said “the Flu Mist is very effective in providing the influenza vaccine to children, but there may be some mild and short lasting side effects. These effects may include runny nose, nasal congestion or cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat, and headaches.”
For more information on the H1N1 vaccine contact the Pottawatomie County Health Department at 273-2157. People may also visit these Web sites for additional information on H1N1 and seasonal flu: www.cdc.gov , www.health.ok.gov and http://h1n1.health.ok.gov.
SHAWNEE, Okla. —
