More H1N1 Clinics Announced, Parents Added to Priority List

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma-City County Health Department has announced four more public H1N1 clinics in November and has added parents to the priority list of those eligible for the vaccine.

Two weeks ago at an H1N1 clinic in south Oklahoma City numerous people who weren't on the CDC's priority list received the H1N1 vaccine. Health department spokesperson H.R. Holman said the clinics weren't turning anyone who wanted the H1N1 vaccine away. However, that idea has changed. Now just one week before the next scheduled clinic, the health department has a clear shift in tone and adherence to the CDC guidelines.

Holman said the guidelines are pregnant women, school age children 6 months to 18 years, custodial parents of children 6 months or younger as well as frontline health care workers.

The change came, Holman said, after the government realized the makers of the vaccine could not meet the demand and overstated how much would be produced.

"We anticipated a larger flow of vaccine, but consequently we've had to cut back to the CDC guidelines and the Oklahoma Health Department guidelines since that time," Holman said.

So far, Oklahoma County has only had three H1N1 clinics. Four more are scheduled for in November at John Marshall, Star Spencer, Douglass and Northwest Classen High Schools.

Holman said aside from the lack of vaccine, everything else is going according to plan.

"Ninety-eight percent of the people who were there didn't mind the four to five hours wait in line, and they were very appreciative of getting the vaccine," Holman said.

As of Friday, the Oklahoma City-County Health Department said they had about 8,700 doses of the H1N1 vaccine on hand. Another 18,000 are expected to arrive in the state for the four upcoming clinics.

Upcoming H1N1 November clinics:

All clinics will be from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Saturday, November 7 at John Marshall High School, 12201 N. Portland, Oklahoma City

Saturday, November 14 at Star Spencer High School, 3001 N. Spencer Road, Spencer

Saturday, November 14 at Douglas Mid-High School, 900 ML King, Oklahoma City

Saturday, November 21 at Northwest Classen High School, 2801 NW 27th Street, Oklahoma City

Following new CDC and Oklahoma State Health Department guidelines, the H1N1 clinics will be open to only pregnant women, school-age children ages 6 month to 18 years, custodial parents of children 6 month or younger, and frontline healthcare workers.