H1N1 vaccine clinics opened to all residents

If you want an H1N1 flu vaccine, you can get it Tuesday at various appointment-only clinics.

The announcement from the Winnebago County Health Department comes as the Illinois Department of Public Health reported nine new deaths and 216 new hospitalizations attributable to complications related to the H1N1 virus last week, including a fifth death in Winnebago County. The update brings the number of H1N1 deaths in Illinois to 76 since April.

Winnebago County Health Administrator Mike Bacon said the Winnebago County victim was an adult with underlying health conditions that contributed to H1N1 complications. He also said the victim was in the 25-to-64 age group designated as a priority for receiving the vaccine before the state opened the shot program Thursday to anyone age 6 months or older.

The upcoming H1N1 shot clinics will be held:

Tuesday from 2 to 6 p.m. at Heartland Church, 1280 S. Alpine Road, in the Colonial Village shopping center.

Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Hilander Village shopping center, 4860 Hononegah Road, Roscoe.

Dec. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at a west Rockford site to be announced.

Dec. 22 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Heartland Church.

“We are transitioning from a time when there was a lot of illness, but not much vaccine, to a time when there is declining illness, but still a higher amount of flu than we normally see at this time of year,” Bacon said. “This flu season is still very unpredictable, and getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself.”

Appointments for the H1N1 clinics may be made 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-649-2381.

All forms of the vaccine, including a limited supply of the nasal spray, will be made available at the sites. Children age 9 or younger who received their first dose before Nov. 19 may receive a second dose. Bacon said H1N1 vaccinations in schools will continue until schools break for the holidays and in-school second dose vaccinations for children 9 and younger will begin in January.

H1N1 vaccines administered by the Health Department are free of charge. People who are allergic to eggs should not receive the shot.

Bacon said the department also has a supply of seasonal flu vaccine available “but, at our most recent clinic for seasonal flu, we had only a modest demand. We’re hoping that, as we continue to offer it at subsequent clinics, the interest will pick up again.”

He said appointments for seasonal flu clinics may be made by calling 815-720-4264, but that number is not a 24-hour line.

The department charges $30 for the seasonal flu shot and $45 for a pneumonia shot.  

Bacon also said the department recommends getting both vaccines and continuing to follow “the 3 C’s: Clean your hands, cover your cough and contain your germs by staying home if you are sick.”

More information on H1N1, including additional future clinic dates, is available at wchd.org or by calling 815-720-4000.

Staff writer Mike DeDoncker can be reached at mdedoncker@rrstar.com or 815-987-1382.