(Elk Point, SD) The South Dakota Department of Health along with representatives of Union County, Sanford Health and Avera Health announce an H1N1 flu vaccination clinic at the Elk Point-Jefferson High School on Thursday, December 10 from 3:00– 7:00 p.m.

 

Vaccinations are being offered only to tier 1 & 2 individuals as identified by the CDC:

·         pregnant women

·         *children 6 months - 18 years of age

·         young adults 19 – 24 years of age

·         adults 25 - 64 years of age with chronic health conditions

·         caregivers of children less than 6 months of age

·         healthcare and emergency medical services workers (note – employees from these fields must bring their employee ID badge to the event for identification purposes)

 

*Note - children under the age of 10 must have received their first H1N1 dose before November 13, 2009 to receive the second H1N1 dose at this even.

 

H1N1 vaccination is completely voluntary and there is no charge for the vaccination. The CDC recommends that an individual who previously suffered from a suspected case of H1N1 without a lab confirmation should still receive the H1N1 vaccine

 

There is currently a limited supply of vaccine, and vaccine is currently only available to those who are at the highest risk for contracting H1N1.  As more H1N1 vaccination clinics are scheduled, they will be posted on the department web site, http://h1n1.sd.gov.

To speed up the vaccination process, parents and participants are encouraged to go online to the following school websites: Alcester, Beresford, Dakota Valley, and Elk Point. On the website there will be an area listed "Flu Vaccination Clinic Information Form". Please print out and complete this form prior to the attending the event. Blank forms will also be available at the event.

The vaccine is being provided by the federal government and vaccination clinics are being administered statewide by the Department of Health in partnership with Avera Health, Sanford Health and Regional Health.