Health dept. sets another H1N1 clinic

PRINCETON — The Bureau County Health Department is offering another H1N1 flu clinic for all high priority groups.

On Tuesday, Diana Rawlings, administrator for the local health department, announced the additional clinic will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday at the Princeton Moose Lodge on North Euclid Avenue. No reservations are needed. The vaccination is free through the health department.

High priority groups include children and young people ages 6 months through 24 years, pregnant women, emergency responders, medical professionals with direct patient care, those people serving as caregivers of babies less than 6 months, and people ages 25 years to 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from the flu.

An estimated 4,000 H1N1 vaccines have been administered so far through the local health department, Rawlings said, adding the health department has worked closely with area hospitals and doctors to provide the vaccine to high priority groups.

At this point, the Center for Disease Control is limiting the H1N1 vaccine to high risk groups, Rawlings said, although once the CDC allows the health department to offer clinics to non-high priority groups, another public clinic will be scheduled to meet that need.

Dr. Damon T. Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, has urged Illinois residents to be patient in getting the H1N1 vaccine. Due to slower than anticipated production, there is currently a limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine nationwide. However, manufacturers continue to produce the vaccine as quickly as possible, and supplies are expected to increase throughout November and December, he said.

“Illinois will continue to receive additional shipments of the H1N1 vaccine, so there will be enough vaccine for everyone,” Arnold said. “Additional doses of the H1N1 vaccine will be delivered to providers during the coming weeks and months, so there will be enough vaccine to go around. In the meantime, we ask that you be patient and take everyday preventive actions to stay healthy.”

The IDPH’s guideline to staying healthy are to follow the “3 Cs,” which are Clean, Cover and Contain, Arnold said. People should clean or wash their hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs. Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, not the hand. Contain germs by staying home if sick.