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H1N1 Vaccination Now Open To All Residents
District Health Department #10 is now providing H1N1 vaccination by appointment to any resident of the counties we serve who would like to be vaccinated.
Appointments may be made by calling your local county office of DHD#10:
Crawford County: 989-348-7800 Mecosta County: 231-592-0130
Kalkaska County: 231-258-8669 Missaukee County: 231-839-7167
Lake County: 231-745-4663 Newaygo County: 231-689-7300
Manistee County: 231-723-3595 Oceana County: 231-873-2193
Mason County: 231-845-7381 Wexford County: 231-775-9942
Vaccine supplies are steadily increasing. Additional shipments are being received weekly in varying amounts according to manufacturer availability.
*Please Note*
Some physician offices may also have supplies of vaccine in stock. Check with your prenatal, pediatric, or family care provider to see if vaccine is available there.
- Like seasonal flu vaccine, the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available in a shot form and a nasal spray form. Some differences include:
- 2009 H1N1 Flu Shot - Vaccine Information Statement
- Contains killed flu virus
- Is given by injection into the muscle
- Is the most common form of the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine
- Is recommended for people 6 months of age and older, including healthy people, people with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women
- 2009 H1N1 Flu Nasal Spray - Vaccine Information Statement
- Contains live, but weakened flu virus
- Is given by spraying a mist into the nostrils
- Is a less common form of the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine
- Is only recommended for 2-49 year-olds in good health status
- Is not recommended for pregnant women
- Safety: The 2009 H1N1 vaccines, both forms, are manufactured and tested in the same ways that seasonal flu vaccine is made. For more on the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine safety, click here.
- Protection: Regardless of which form is used, it takes up to 2 weeks for protection to develop after you receive the vaccination. The 2009 H1N1 vaccine will not protect against seasonal flu viruses.
- Children Under 10: Regardless of which form is used, children younger than 10 years should receive two doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. The two doses should be separated by 4 weeks.
- Voluntary: The national 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine program is voluntary. Those interested in vaccination will receive accurate information so they can make an informed decision.
- Cost: The 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is free, however providers may charge an administration fee which may be billed to insurances. Every effort is being made to ensure that cost is not a barrier for anyone who would like to get vaccinated. There will be no personal bills sent to anyone who receives vaccine administered by the Health Department.
The following groups of people are at greater risk of influenza illness and its complications. H1N1 vaccination is especially recommended for them.
- Pregnant women;
- Caregivers and close contacts of infants younger than 6 months;
- Persons ages 6 months-24 years;
- People aged 25 through 64 years who have chronic medical conditions or weakened immune systems; and
- Health care workers.
All children younger than 10 years need 2 doses spaced 28 days apart. Older children and adults need only one dose.
Anyone of any age who would like to be vaccinated is now eligible to receive vaccine.
Flu season lasts throughout the spring. Vaccination is still the best protection.
- There are some people who should not get any flu vaccine without first consulting a physician:
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs;
- People who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination;
- People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of getting a flu vaccine previously.
- Children younger than 6 months of age (flu vaccine is not approved for this age group), and
- People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated.)
- Supplies of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine have continued to increase steadily, meaning more people can now be protected.
- Additional shipments are arriving at the Health Department on a weekly basis as it becomes available from manufacturers.
Where Vaccine Will Be Available in District Health Department #10
- H1N1 flu vaccine may be available at multiple locations in each county, including each Health Department office, some private health care providers, and some pharmacies.
- You may want to contact your doctor’s office to see if vaccine is being given there.
- A public Flu Clinic Locator may be found online at www.google.com/flushot. It is searchable by city or zip code and includes maps and directions to vaccination sites.
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