Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Sedgwick County Health Department’s H1N1 Vaccination Clinic will be open from 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday this week and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. These hours will be maintained unless the vaccine supply runs out. The clinic is located at 4095 E. Harry in Wichita.

Tuesday, December 1, and Wednesday, December 2, the clinic will serve the following groups:
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• Pregnant women
• Persons age six months through 24 years
• Household contacts and caregivers of infants younger than six months of age

Individuals with flu-like symptoms should not come to the vaccine clinic. People exhibiting flu-like 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 with the flu.

Sedgwick County Health Department has set up a call center to give up-to-date information about H1N1, the clinic and priority groups. Individuals with questions can call 660-5558 or e-mail flu@sedgwick.gov.

• People age 25 through 64 years who have chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems

Starting Thursday, December 3 the Sedgwick County H1N1 Vaccine Clinic will administer the FREE vaccine to anyone who wishes to be vaccinated.

“We are so happy to finally be able to provide vaccine to anyone in our community who wishes to be protected from H1N1,” stated Sedgwick County Health Department Director Claudia Blackburn.

The Health Department anticipates long lines on Thursday when the clinic opens to anyone who wishes to receive the free vaccine. If you are in one of the target groups listed above, you are encouraged to visit the clinic either today or Wednesday to avoid long lines.