Health department to host free H1N1 clinic

Look for another H1N1 vaccine clinic at the Greene County Health Department.

"In an effort to reach more people, we will be having a free vaccination clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 2-6 p.m. We will administer the vaccine to anyone under the age of 64 years," explains a press release from the health department.

As in the past, the clinic will be free.

"Individuals who wish to receive the vaccine on that day will need to call the health department at 384-4496 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the morning of the clinic to be given a scheduled time to be at the health department that afternoon," the release states.

But do not come to the health department if you are ill or have signs and symptoms of influenza-like illness as you cannot be processed through the clinic.

Only those that have called the health department on the morning of the clinic to receive their time slot will be given the vaccine at the clinic.

"Children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the H1N1 vaccine, four weeks apart, to be fully protected," according to the release. "Parents will need to bring a child's H1N1 vaccination card in order for the child to get the second dose."

Please remember the three steps you can take to prevent the spread of the flu. They are refereed to as the three Cs.

Clean your hands, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or sleeve and contain the flu by staying home if you are sick with flu-like symptoms.

For more information on the H1N1 flu and its vaccine call the Indiana State Department of Health at 1-887-826-0011 or 1-888-561-0044. The hotline will be available from 8:30 a.m.- 4:45 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

As information becomes available on additional clinics in Greene County it will be distributed through the local media outlets as well as the Indiana State Department of Health Web site at www.in.gov.flu .

The health department is located at 217 E. Spring St. in Bloomfield.