November 3, 2009

The Sedgwick County Health Department will offer H1N1 vaccine to expanded groups when it opens on Wednesday, November 4. The clinic, located at the Wichita Mall (4031 E Harry Street, 67218), will serve healthy individuals age 2 to 49 who fit into the following groups:

• Healthcare workers

• People who live with or care for children younger than six months of age

• Children age 2 to 4 years

The only vaccine available at this time is the nasal spray version, which is only available for healthy 2-49 year olds.

This means that anyone with conditions that weaken the respiratory or immune systems will not be vaccinated (because they cannot receive the FluMist®). This includes:

• Pregnant women

• People with long-term health problems including, but not limited to, heart disease, asthma, diabetes or kidney failure

• People who take medications that can weaken the immune system

• Children less than five years old who have asthma or a history of recurrent wheezing

• Children or adolescents receiving aspirin therapy

• People with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or who are allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components

It is okay for close contacts of pregnant women or persons with lesser degrees of immunosuppression (e.g., diabetes, HIV) to receive the FluMist®. Individuals with flu-like symptoms should not come to the vaccine clinic.

People exhibiting flulike symptoms (fever greater than 100 degrees, coughing, respiratory congestion or body aches) will be screened out as you are not able to receive vaccine if you currently have the flu.

Aside from being turned away, individuals who have flu-like symptoms run the risk of infecting others.

The clinic is located at the Wichita Mall (4031 E Harry Street, 67218). Hours of operation and

This week the East Harry vaccine clinic will be open from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday –Saturday or until the supply is depleted.