The Sangamon County Health Department received more doses of injectable H1N1 vaccine recently, which will allow the department to keep taking calls from people who want an appointment for a flu shot. The department has enough flu shots to last through Dec. 11, said Gail O'Neill, assistant director of public health
The free shots will be given by appointment only, and the only way of making an appointment is to call 753-3333 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Appointments made by phone are for the next day to allow for enough of the vaccine to be available for that day.
The only people eligible for the shots are Sangamon County residents who fall within one or more of the following categories: pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months; health-care and emergency medical services personnel; all people from 6 months through 24 years of age; and people ages 25 to 64 who have a chronic health condition such as diabetes, asthma or disease of the kidney, lung or liver. Children nine years or younger who are being vaccinated for influenza for the first time need a second dose of the vaccine and should wait four weeks or at least 21 days before getting the second shot.
1,000 doses of thimerosol-free H1N1 vaccine arrived recently. Thimerosol is a preservative that contains a trace amount of mercury, and some parents have requested thimerosol-free vaccine for their children. This vaccine is available for children between ages of 6 and 35 months.
Dan Brundage holds his daughter, Caroline Brundage, as she receives the swine flu vaccine from nurse Diane Buergler in Indianapolis, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
