Hawkins County Health Department to offer H1N1 Vaccine

The Hawkins County Health Department, Rogersville Office will offer H1N1 Flu Mist® and injectable vaccine on Saturday, November 14, 2009 from 4:30-6:30pm.  Please call the HC Health Department at 272-7641 to make an appointment.
No shortage of 2009 H1N1 Vaccine is expected.  However initially, only limited quantities and types of vaccine will be available.  The Tenn. Department of Health expects to receive enough H1N1 vaccine in the coming weeks so anyone who wants to receive it, can do so.

The following priority groups will receive the H1N1 Vaccine first:

• Pregnant women
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6  months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• all people from 6 months through 24 yrs. of age
• persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
  

  There are two types of flu vaccines that protect against H1N1 Flu.  Flu Mist®  is a live vaccine containing a significantly weakened version of virus that is administered in the nose and can be provided to healthy, non-pregnant persons age 2-49 years.  The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine containing killed virus that is given with a needle, usually in  the arm.  The flu shot is approved for use among people 6 months of age or older, including healthy people and those with chronic medical conditions.

  For more information about the H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccines, call the Hawkins County Health Department at 272-7641 or contact the Tennessee Flu information line at 1-877-252-3432.  Information is also available on the Web at www.tn.gov/health or www.flu.gov .