The Independence Health Department is again holding H1N1 flu vaccination clinics. These will be 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.
Both clinics will offer FluMist nasal spray or injectable vaccine and are open to residents who meet the following criteria:
- Pregnant women
- Children/young adults ages 6 months-24 years
- Health care workers
- Caregivers of children younger than 6 months
- Persons 25 - 64 with chronic health conditions.
H1N1 vaccine has been distributed to participating family practice, internal medicine, OB/GYN and pediatric offices in Independence so residents are also encouraged to contact their physicians for vaccine availability.
Health Director Larry Jones said production of the vaccine is taking longer than manufacturers had initially expected because of the time it takes to grow the antigen for the vaccine.
“Because the manufacture process for the vaccine takes time and because safety protocols must be followed, nothing can be done to speed the manufacture process, however, we are getting additional vaccine weekly,” Jones said. “The Health Department is working to distribute the vaccine as soon as shipments are received.”
The Independence Health Department is at 515 S. Liberty. For more information about H1N1 call 325-6300.
