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H1N1 clinics for general public not ‘real close’

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By Dave Larsen, Staff Writer 5:01 PM Tuesday, November 17, 2009

DAYTON — Unless you’re in a targeted high-risk group, don’t expect to receive an H1N1 flu vaccination any time soon.

The Ohio Department of Health is restricting local health departments to provide vaccinations only to those people in targeted groups.

“I don’t think that we’re real close” to H1N1 clinics for the general public, said Kristopher Weiss, ODH spokesman, on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Ohio has received a total of about 1.6 million doses of H1N1 vaccine since early October, Weiss said. “We estimate that there are about 5.4 million people in that group of high-risk individuals that we’re asking ... have the opportunity first,” he said.

This week the state received less vaccine than anticipated, down to 182,700 doses, according to Weiss.

“Those of us that are not in that high-risk group need to continue to be patient and let this finite resource be steered toward those who are at most serious risk for flu and serious complications from it,” Weiss said.

Weiss said the available vaccine is being shipped this week to local health departments, pediatricians and Ob-gyns.

Public Health - Dayton & Montgomery County has “very limited flu supplies at this time,” said Bill Wharton, spokesman.

Much of the available area vaccine is being targeted at school clinics, “in order to make sure that we can get as many children vaccinated as possible,” Wharton said.

By Friday, Nov. 20, Public Health will have immunized more than 40,000 area K-12 students, Wharton said. More than 7,000 people in high-risk groups have been vaccinated at three public clinics, he said.

Public Health has scheduled a free vaccine clinic for targeted groups for 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at University of Dayton Arena.

Targeted groups include pregnant women; people who live with or care for infants under 6 months; health care or emergency medical services personnel; people ages 6 months through 24 years; and people ages 25 through 64 with chronic medical conditions such as lung or heart disease, diabetes or other immuno-compromised conditions.

The University of Dayton on Tuesday announced an H1N1 vaccine clinic for UD students from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at the RecPlex’s MAC gym. The clinic is only for UD students ages 24 or younger.

UD students who wish to receive the vaccine must bring their student IDs and wear clothing that allows the upper arm to be easily exposed. Those without a student ID will not be permitted to receive the vaccine.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2419 or dlarsen@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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