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H1N1 Vaccinations Given In Mayes Co. During Walk-In Clinic

By Craig Day, The News On 6

MAYES COUNTY -- The Oklahoma State Department of Health is planning a statewide H1N1 influenza vaccination effort for Saturday, November 7 for Oklahomans who fall into one of the priority groups targeted to receive the vaccine.

Clinics will be held at locations across the state. Locations and times for the Vaccination Blitz will be announced in the coming days.

An additional 93,100 doses of the novel H1N1 influenza vaccine is arriving in the state. The doses include both nasal spray and injectable vaccines. The Oklahoma State Department of Health is projected to receive H1N1 vaccine in weekly shipments through early January 2010.

Priority groups for the H1N1 vaccine now include all children ages six months to 18 years, pregnant women, custodial parents of infants less than six months of age, front-line health care workers who have direct patient contact with acutely ill persons, and adults 19 - 64 years of age with chronic disease.

A walk-in clinic was held in Pryor on Monday.

Two and a half year old Nicolas Rowland's mom took him to get an H1N1 flu shot.

"I have another child. We'll come later for him too. I just want to make sure everyone is covered and make sure we don't get sick," said Tami Rowland, a Pryor resident.

Little Nicholas has asthma. His mom didn't want to take any chances with his health and the H1N1 virus, so she took him to a walk in clinic at the Mayes County Health Department.

"I think anybody that has an underlying condition needs to be vaccinated. That's why we have them," said Tami Rowland.

By 11 a.m., the Mayes County Health Department had gone through about half of its 500 doses of vaccine -- the largest shipment the county has received so far.

The health department's Darla Thompson was pleased with the turnout.

"They've actually researched it. They've watched the newscast, they've gone on the Oklahoma State Health Department web site, they've looked up the CDC requirements, they're following this, so that's always a good sign I think for public health," said Darla Thompson, Mayes County Health Department.

The Mayes County Health Department administered both the flu mist and shots.

For little Nicholas, his shot went just fine. He got a sticker and his mom gets peace of mind.

As part of the coordinated statewide immunization day, the health department, which covers Mayes, Adair and Cherokee Counties will hold another immunization clinic. It will be in Tahlequah Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the health department on South College Street.

For more information about the availability of H1N1 influenza vaccine in your area, call your local county health department or visit www.ok.gov/health, or call the Oklahoma State Department of Health toll-free H1N1 hotline at: 1-866-278-7134. Phones are answered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

11/1/2009  Related Story: Tulsa Health Department To Vaccinate Hundreds Of Students Against H1N1