Tulsa Co. Gets 8,400 Additional Doses Of The H1N1 Vaccine

By Chris Wright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- More of the H1N1 vaccine is making its way to Green Country. The Tulsa Health Department reports it received 8,400 doses this week, and expects to receive 19,000 doses next week.

For the time being, the vaccine will only be available to at-risk groups, like small children and pregnant women, but health officials say that should change soon.

At Saint John's Urgent Care in Sand Springs, doctors say the H1N1 vaccine would be of little help to many of their patients. That's because they've already come down with the virus.

Doctors there say they've treated dozens of people with suspected cases of H1N1.

"Fortunately, so far, what I've been seeing has been what I would say is a mild form of the flu," said Dr. Art Wallace, Urgent Care physician. 

But for those hoping to avoid this strain of influenza, Dr. Wallace recommends giving the new vaccine a shot.

"I would give that strong consideration, especially if they're of a risk-type patient who may have underlying medical problems," said Dr. Art Wallace.

H1N1 inoculation is still not an option for average patients.

The first batch was doled out to health care workers and Sand Springs elementary school students last week.

10/8/2009 Related story: Sand Springs School Children Among First To Get H1N1 Vaccinations

This week, it's being made available to pregnant women and children between the ages of five and 18 with chronic health conditions.

"When we have limited supplies, we do have to follow federal protocols on who we can give that to," said Melanie Christian, Tulsa Health Department.

The Health Department reports that could change soon with 19,000 doses of the vaccine to arrive shortly.

"Next week, probably mid-week to late next week, our shipment will be large enough that we can broaden the scope and give the H1N1 vaccine to anyone who wishes to protect themselves that way," said Melanie Christian.

That's welcome news at Urgent Care, where doctors say they would prefer to help patients prevent H1N1 rather than endure it.

The vaccine will be available to pregnant women and small children at the James Goodwin Health Center on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Check the Tulsa Health Department's web site for updates on when and where it will be available to everyone else.

Meanwhile, the Tulsa Health Department is still offering free seasonal flu vaccinations at area clinics to anyone who wishes to receive that vaccine.

Expo Square Health Center
4616 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, OK
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Friday

James O. Goodwin Health Center
5051 S. 129th E. Avenue, Tulsa, OK
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Friday

Central Regional Health Center
315 S. Utica, Tulsa, OK
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday
8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Friday

North Regional Health Center
5424 N. Madison Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74126
Call (918) 591-6006 for hours

Bixby Community Health Center
8120 E. 126th Street
Bixby, OK 74008
Call (918) 369-3155 for hours

Collinsville Community Health Center
1201 W. Center
Collinsville, OK 74021-3111
Call (918) 596-8650 for hours

Sand Springs Health Center
306 E. Broadway
Sand Springs, OK 74063-7911
Call (918) 591-6100 for hours

For more information on seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine availability you can call the Tulsa Health Department flu information line at 918-595-4500.

10/13/2009  Related Story: Tulsa Health Department Expects To Temporarily Run Out Of Flu Vaccine