Three new H1N1 flu shot clinics scheduled in Cedar Rapids

Three more H1N1 flu vaccination clinics will be held for Linn County residents in early December.

Here's the news release on the clinics:

Linn County Public Health (LCPH) will be holding three public H1N1 vaccination clinics at Hawkeye Downs, 4400 6th St SW, on Tuesday December 1st and Thursday December 3rd.

• The first clinic on Tuesday December 1st, will be by appointment only and will operate from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• The second clinic on Thursday December 3rd will be by appointment only and will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Scheduled clinics will be by appointment ONLY! People that qualify for the H1N1 vaccine MUST call 892-6009 to schedule an appointment. Phone lines will be activated at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17 for both scheduled clinic dates, December 1st from 2 – 8 p.m. and December 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• The third clinic on Thursday December 3rd will be a walk in (first-come-first-served) clinic. This clinic will start at 1:00 p.m. and end at 4:00 p.m. and will not require an appointment.

Operators will be taking calls as they come into the call center starting at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17. If callers receive a busy signal they should try calling back in a few minutes, there will not be an opportunity to leave a message. Phone lines will be operational from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Please do not call the general Public Health number as the receptionists will not be able to schedule a time, they will direct the caller to dial 892-6009.

Due to an increase in the vaccine allotment to Linn County, the initial restricted groups have been expanded to include the following high risk groups identified by the CDC. Individuals that are in the following five categories qualify for the clinics mentioned above.

• pregnant women,
• household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age,
• health care and emergency medical services personnel,
• all people from 6 months through 24 years of age,
• persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Injectable and flu mist vaccine will be available at the clinic. If you qualify for the flu mist, you will be required to accept this form of vaccine. Injectable vaccine is in limited supply.

“We have seen a slight decrease in H1N1 flu like symptoms, this can give the community a false sense of security” says Curtis Dickson, Director Linn County Public Health. “We likely will see another spike in H1N1, therefore it is imperative that individuals receive the vaccine.”

Pandemics such as the one we are experiencing now with H1N1, have peaks and valleys. We experienced our first peak last spring when it surfaced in Iowa, and have just passed through our second peak. We likely will see several more peaks as we proceed through this influenza season.

For more detailed information about 2009 H1N1 influenza, visit

www.linncounty.org,

www.idph.state.ia.us/h1n1/default.asp,

www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu, or call 1-800-CDC-INFO