Free H1N1 Vaccine Clinics 12/5 and 12/9

Hi, this is an important message from King County Public Health. Public Health is opening up four free H1N1 flu vaccine clinics, beginning Saturday, December 5, and again on Wednesday, December 9, as a way to provide access to people at highest risk for H1N1 influenza (swine flu) who cannot afford to pay. Future clinic dates will be scheduled as more vaccine becomes available.

Public Health encourages people to seek H1N1 vaccine through their health care providers or through pharmacies if they can afford the administrative cost or if your insurance covers it. Though flu illness seems to have peaked locally, at least temporarily, H1N1 illness continues in the community, and vaccination is the best wait to protect against H1N1 influenza.

The public vaccination clinics will be held at four sites on Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, December 9, from noon to 7 p.m.:

-Columbia Public Health Center at 4400 37th Ave S. in Seattle
-Renton Public Health Center at 3001 NE 4th St. in Renton
-North Public Health Center at 10501 Meridian Ave N. in Seattle
-Federal Way Public Health Center at 33431 13th Place S. in Federal Way

On December 5, there will be a total of 4,000 doses of vaccine available across the four sites, and on December 9, there will be 1,000 doses of vaccine. Vaccinations are first come, first served, and no reservations will be taken. If demand is high, people will be given a time later that day to return for a guaranteed vaccination. Once supply is exhausted, people will be told as soon as they arrive. The ability to pay will be determined on the honor system, and it will be assumed that people getting vaccinated at one of the four clinics cannot afford the administrative cost of H1N1 vaccination.

It is recommended that you receive H1N1 vaccine if you are at high risk for contracting H1N1, such as if you are:
-pregnant
-live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
-are between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
-or are between 25 and 64 years of age with chronic health conditions such as heart disease, asthma, kidney disease, diabetes, seizure disorders or HIV/AIDS

For updates on vaccine availability in the community call the Flu Hotline at 877-903-KING (5464) or Visit the Public Health H1N1 influenza website at www.kingcounty.gov/health/H1N1. The flu hotline is staffed between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, with special 24-hour nurse line service extended over this weekend for people with flu seeking medical care advice. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day. That’s at 877-903-5464. Please, tell your friends about these free vaccinations.