By By Kerry Whipple Bean
publisher
A limited amount of the novel H1N1 vaccine will be available for those people in targeted need groups at two vaccination clinics in Escambia County Friday.
Both the Atmore and Brewton locations of the Escambia County Health Department will administer the vaccine beginning at 9 a.m. and lasting until 6 p.m. or until all of the vaccine has been administered. The vaccine is available for these groups: pregnant women; household and caregiver contacts of children younger than 6 months of age (parents, siblings and child care providers); health care and emergency medical services personnel; persons from 6 months through 24 years old; people age 25 to 64 who have underlying medical conditions that are associated with a higher risk of flu complications (such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, HIV and certain types of arthritis)
On Monday, state health officer Dr. Donald Williamson said that the groups targeted to receive the H1N1 vaccine has been expanded. Access to the vaccine has been limited nationwide because of slower than expected manufacturing.
Williamson also said that the state now expects to begin school-based vaccination clinics on Nov. 30, with the vaccine going to children under age 10 first.