After a slow start, the Denton County Health Department now has enough doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to begin vaccinating high risk residents free of charge, officials said Monday.
County health officials said they have 11,000 doses to provide vaccinations to five key risk populations, which include:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age.
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel.
• Anyone between 6 months and 24 years old.
• People from ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
H1N1 influenza clinics are scheduled for this Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rosemeade Recreation Center. 1330 E. Rosemeade Parkway in Carrollton, and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the University of North Texas Discovery Park, located at 3940 N. Elm St. in Denton.
Health officials said that more public clinics will be announced as they receive additional doses of H1N1 vaccine. They also report that it appears that influenza rates are decreasing.
“The influenza rates continue to be higher than what we traditionally see for seasonal flu at this time of year; however, the rates have dropped below our seasonal flu highs from the previous three years,” according to a press release issued Monday.
For updates, call the Denton County Flu Hotline at (940) 349-4FLU (4358) or visit www.dentoncounty.com/health.
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