More H1N1 vaccine for Whiteside: Lee Co. still waiting

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Whiteside County Health Department Tuesday received 2,000 more doses of H1N1 nasal vaccine and will be able to continue with school clinics this week, Health Administrator Beth Fiorini said.

Nasal flu mist can be used only on people ages 2 through 49 who are not pregnant, and who have no diagnosis of asthma, wheezing or other serious medical problems.

The county has about 300 doses of the shot form of the vaccine available for students clinics who can’t take the flumist.

The Whiteside County Health Department also received 160 doses of seasonal flu vaccine.

There will be a seasonal vaccine clinic in Prophetstown from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday at the Methodist church at 200 West 2nd St.

In the meantime, the Lee County Health Department has yet to receive its first shipment H1N1 flu vaccine, said Cathy Ferguson, that county’s health administrator.

“We’re still hopeful.”

Tuesday, the Centers for Disese Control reported that 22.4 million H1N1 doses were available for shipment directly to providers, about 8 million more than about a week ago.

“We’re getting to the level where it will become significantly easier to find and receive vaccine,” Dr. Thomas Frieden, CDC director, said at a weekly news briefing.

As much as possible, orders being shipped overnight, he said.

“Eventually, there will be enough vaccine for all who want to get vaccinated to get vaccinated.”

How to get flu mist

Flu mist will be given on a walk-in basis at the Whiteside County Community Health Clinic,1300 W. Second St., Rock Falls, to people between the ages of 2 and 24, a caregiver of a child younger than 6 months, health care providers and first responders.

The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The vaccines are given at no charge.

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