Twenty-Seven Oklahomans Have Died From The H1N1 Virus

NewsOn6.com

TULSA, OK -- Officials with the Oklahoma State Department of Health say seven more Oklahomans have died from complications of the swine flu. 

That list includes three deaths in Tulsa County.  There are now 27 deaths in the state attributed to complications from the swine flu. The death toll rises to 28 when you include a Kay County man who died before the state started keeping track.

OSDH issued an update Thursday morning.

Federal officials are tracking the H1N1 virus and the impact of the virus appears to be worse than originally thought.

The latest estimates show the death toll in the U.S. is higher than first reported. 

Federal Health officials say at least 4,000 people have died from the H1N1 virus.  That's four times the original estimate. 

The new number includes deaths caused because of complications related to the virus.  This new data comes as another free walk in clinic Thursday in the Tulsa area. 

• Thursday, November 12th at the Church at Battlecreek located at 3025 N. Aspen in Broken Arrow from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 17th from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Expo Square Exchange Center located at 21st Street between Harvard and Yale. Individuals should enter on the West side of the building.  
• Wednesday, November 18th from 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at the Expo Square Exchange Center located at 21st Street between Harvard and Yale. Individuals should enter on the West side of the building.  
• Thursday, December 3rd from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Tulsa Community College West campus located at 7505 W. 41st Street in Tulsa
• Saturday, December 12th from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Oral Roberts University located at 7777 S. Lewis Avenue in Tulsa

At these walk-in clinics, children and young adults from 6 to 24 can get the vaccine.  People who care for babies less than 6 months old and those with chronic medical conditions can also get the vaccine. 

Beginning Thursday, pregnant women will be able to receive a H1N1 vaccination on a walk-in basis.

The following locations will be open Mondays - Thursdays 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and Fridays 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

• James O. Goodwin Health Center located at 5051 S. 129th E. Avenue, Tulsa, OK
• Central Regional Health Center located at 315 S. Utica, Tulsa, OK
• Expo Square Health Center located at 4616 E. 15th Street, Tulsa, OK   

 While people are lining up by the hundreds for these types of clinics, there has been some concerns expressed that it's hard for parents to get the second booster shot required for young kids. 

The Oklahoma Department of Health says parents can take advantage of shots being given at their children's school and then attend one of the walk in clinics for the second booster dose.

For more information you can call the flu hotline at 918-595-4500 or call 918-582-9355 at the Tulsa Health Department Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

The Associated Press contributed to this story.