H1N1 Clinics Expanded in Cleveland County

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- Health officials in Cleveland County have a busy week ahead of them with several H1N1 vaccinations scheduled. They started Monday with a new focus on those most at risk.

Cleveland County health officials have been holding many H1N1 vaccination clinics lately.

"We have been doing, I would say, at least two or three clinics every week and they, we also have been doing three or four schools, if not more schools, every week," Shari Kinney with the Cleveland County Health Department said.

One particular H1N1 clinic focuses on three priority groups--children ages 2-18, women who are pregnant, and a third group added Monday, adults up to 64 who have chronic illnesses. There were people from all three groups receiving the vaccine Monday. Brenden Brown had good reason to get vaccinated.

"I haven't been feeling good at all, and both of my little brothers have been sick so I don't want to get it at all," said Brown. "They're better now, but they haven't been at school for like a few weeks."

Pride of Oklahoma member Austin Martin hoped to avoid the fate that befell his fellow band members.

"There's definitely been a few, especially during the beginning weeks of school, they were a lot that caught the virus and were out for a few weeks that definitely effected the performance level with not being able to practice with everybody else," Martin said.

Numbers of people seeking vaccination were lower than expected. There is no problem with the number of doses available.

There are other clinics scheduled this week in Cleveland County. Call 405-321-4048 for more information.