H1N1 vaccination clinic in Cedar Rapids

A public clinic will be offered Friday in Cedar Rapids for H1N1 vaccine, but only for people in priority groups and only the nasal vaccine will be available.

The clinic will be 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until the supply is gone at Hawkeye Downs,

4400 Sixth St. S.W.

Only healthy people age 2 to 49 can use the nasal spray, FluMist, which contains a live vaccine.

The vaccine will be given on a first come, first served basis.

People in the target groups will be assigned a number up to the amount of H1N1 flu mist available at the clinic to help prevent people from waiting in line if there will not be enough vaccine.

If vaccine runs out, more clinics will be scheduled in November as vaccine becomes available.

Because limited doses are available, only these groups will be eligible:

• health care workers and emergency response personnel under age 49 who have direct contact with patients;

• people who live with or provide care for infants less than 6 months that are healthy and under 49 years of age; or

• children 2 – 18 years of age.

The nasal vaccine is not recommended for the following;

• people with medical conditions that place them at high risk for complications from influenza, including those with chronic heart or lung disease, such as asthma or reactive airways disease; people with medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure; or people with illnesses that weaken the immune system or who take medications that can weaken the immune system;

• children age 2 through 4 years of age with possible reactive airway disease (recurrent wheezing or a wheezing episode within the past 12 months);

• children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy;

• pregnant women;

• people with a history of allergy to any of the components of LAIV or to eggs.

Johnson County Public Health is also offering free H1N1 flu vaccinations to high-risk groups. That clinic, on Wednesday, is by appointment only.

“The intranasal flu mist vaccine is a safe and recommended form of vaccine to protect you from the H1N1 virus” said Curtis Dickson, Linn County Public Health Director.

The nasal spray flu mist vaccine has been in use since 2003 and has been proven to be a safe alternative to injections for healthy people.

When sufficient supplies of the injectable vaccine are available, additional public clinics will be held, Dickson said.

Interpreters will be on site Friday during the clinic to assist in registration and education for people needing language assistance.