Allen County’s top health officials will make H1N1 vaccine available to adults with chronic disease beginning today.
Health Commissioner Dr. Deb McMahan announced Wednesday that adults ages 25 to 64 with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease or asthma are now eligible for the injection form of the vaccine, which protects against the swine flu virus.
Until now, the health department has focused its efforts on children, who have the highest rate of infection and have a greater risk of complications from the flu.
Pregnant women, caregivers of infants and health care workers have also been able to receive the vaccine.
The department will have its first clinic for emergency medical workers Friday.
No proof or documentation will be required of adults seeking the vaccine, the health department said.
Next week, the department will provide the second round of doses required for children younger than 10, department spokesman John Silcox said.
Children need a second dose four weeks after the first to ensure they are fully immunized, Silcox said.
The health department first opened its public clinic at Carew Medical Park on Oct. 9, and the first wave of vaccinated children is due to return for their second dose, he said.
Children who received either the injection or the nasal spray will need the second dose.
Parents must bring their H1N1 identification card to the Carew clinic to receive the second dose, according to Silcox.
Parents who lost the card can ask for an immunization record by going to the health department’s immunization clinic on the fifth floor of the City-County Building.
The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The dates and times of next week’s clinics will be announced soon, Silcox said.
