Published: December 01, 2009 06:25 pm      

More H1N1 flu vaccine available

The Whitfield and Murray County health departments have received additional H1N1 influenza vaccine, including both nasal spray and injectable forms.�They will begin administering the vaccine to residents in the “high priority” groups on the following schedule:

� The Murray County Health Department will hold an H1N1 Flu Shot Clinic on Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.�The health department has a limited supply of seasonal flu vaccine, which will also be provided at that time.�The health department is at 709 Old Dalton-Ellijay Road in Chatsworth.

� The Whitfield County Health Department will begin administering their doses with a H1N1 Flu Shot Clinic on Tuesday, Dec. 8, and Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the health department at 808 Professional Blvd. in Dalton.

The health departments will provide the vaccine at no charge. However, an administrative fee may be charged through Medicare, Medicaid and third party insurance including State Health Benefit plans for United Health Care and CIGNA. Residents are asked to bring their insurance cards. Service will be on a first come, first serve basis until the current vaccine supply is depleted.

The priority groups that are first to receive the H1N1 injectable vaccine, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are:

� Pregnant women.

� Health care and emergency medical personnel.

��People who live with or care for infants younger than six months.

� Anyone from six months to 24 years of age.

� Anyone from 25 to 64 who has medical conditions that put the person at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

Health officials say it is important to remember that children younger than 10 who received their initial H1N1 vaccination require a second dose of the vaccine 28 days later. They urge parents and guardians to use this opportunity to complete the H1N1 vaccination process for those children who are ready to receive their second dose.

More information is available by calling the health departments, by going online to www.nghd.org or by dialing Georgia’s toll-free Flu Hotline at 1-888-H1N1-INFO (1-888-4161-4636). The number for the Whitfield health department is (706) 279-9600. The number for the Murray health department is (706) 695-4585.



Source: North Georgia Health District

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