H1N1 Flu Shot Clinic

The Mobile County Health Department will offer free shots to protect against the 2009 H1N1 influenza to people in high priority groups during a drive-through/walk-up clinic at 750 Congress St. on Friday, Oct. 30. The clinic will open at 9 a.m. and remain open until 3 p.m. unless the supply of vaccine is depleted before that time. Short-sleeved clothing is recommended, and appointments are not needed.

Note: People wanting to make the process of getting a shot quicker can download the required consent form from www.mobilecountyhealth.org and fill it out before coming to the clinic. The Vaccine Information Statement for the 2009 inactivated H1N1 influenza vaccine is also available at that Web site.

The high priority groups include the following people:
 Pregnant women
 Health care workers
 Children 6 months to 4 years old
 Parents, caregivers, and siblings of children less than 6 months old
 Children 5 to 18 years old with underlying medical conditions

“We are asking healthy people 25 through 64 years old and adults 65 and older to please be considerate of these high priority groups and not seek to be vaccinated at this time when vaccine supplies are limited,” says Dr. Bernard Eichold, Health Officer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following people should not be vaccinated without first consulting a physician: •People who have a severe (life-threatening) allergy to chicken eggs or to any other substance in the vaccine,
•People who have had a life-threatening reaction after receiving a dose of the seasonal flu vaccine,
•People who have had Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and
•People who have a moderate or severe illness.

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H1N1 clinic

Dr. Eichold advises people to take the following precautions to prevent the spread of colds and flu:
•Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
•Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you do not have tissue, cough and sneeze into your upper arm or sleeve.
•Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand
sanitizers are also effective.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
•Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
•If you are sick, stay home to avoid spreading germs to others.

For more information, call the Health Department’s Immunization Clinic at 690-8821.