ANDERSON — Madison County is expanding planned public clinics to offer vaccinations against the H1N1 flu virus and hoping that residents let those most at risk get to the front of the line.
The county Health Department on Thursday announced fresh shipments of vaccine have allowed a clinic in Alexandria to be scheduled, and additional clinics in Elwood and Anderson are being planned. A previously announced vaccination clinic will be the county’s first, Wednesday at Hoosier Park.
Because supplies are limited, the department urges families in these priority populations plan to attend: pregnant women; household contacts and caregivers of those 6 months and younger; children 6 months to adults age 24; health care and emergency care workers; and individuals 25 and older with pre-existing, chronic medical conditions.
While no one will be turned away, Health Department spokeswoman Kellie J. Kelly said she hopes residents will defer to those in the priority groups who are most susceptible to the virus. Health Department officials have said they expect to have enough vaccine for those who want it, though it might not arrive until December or January. Older people are believed to have built some immunity to H1N1.
Connie McLaughlin, whose 19-year-old son, Trevor, has chronic asthma, said she hopes residents will follow her example.
“I’m going to have conscience enough that I’m going to take my son and I’m not going to get one,” McLaughlin said of the vaccine against H1N1, commonly referred to as swine flu. “My concern is, if everybody in Anderson shows up (for vaccinations at Hoosier Park), my son who has a chronic condition might not get pushed to the front.”
While young people are among those more susceptible to H1N1, the virus does not appear to have reached crisis levels in local schools, even as the number of suspected cases climbs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reports of flulike illness last week reached a 10-year high, and nearly all are believed to be H1N1.
Schools are asked to report to the Health Department anytime absentee rates reach 20 percent. “Rates at this time are not being reported on a regular basis,” Kelly said. “Fortunately at this time, the illness associated with H1N1 has been mild.”
Contact Dave Stafford: 648-4250, dave.stafford@heraldbulletin.com
Flu vaccination clinics
* Anderson: Wednesday, 5 p.m., at Hoosier Park. An estimated 2,000 doses will be available.
* Alexandria: Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 p.m., Madison County 4-H Fairgrounds. An estimated 1,300 doses will be available.
Learn more
More information about H1N1 and seasonal flu is available online at www.flu.gov. Information specific to Indiana can be found at www.in.gov/flu.
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