Countywide project to provide H1N1 vaccination is delayed
The Lee County Health Department changed when it plans to begin providing H1N1 vaccination clinics the new start date is Monday, October 26th. Area high schools will serve as the location for the clinics, with Lehigh Senior High and Cape Coral High being the first two locations. Sufficient quantities of H1N1 vaccine are not expected to arrive in time from the federal government to begin the clinics as previously reported. The Lee County Health Department will now need to delay the start of public vaccination clinics by one week.
“We are working very closely with the health department and they’ve indicated they want to delay this project by one week, which we will do,” said Dr. James Browder, Superintendent of Schools. “We want to make sure that once we start, we can adequately meet the needs of our community.”
For the public’s convenience, once H1N1 vaccine arrives in Lee County, free vaccinations will only be given at 12 local high schools throughout the county. EVERYONE should eventually be vaccinated, but those in high risk categories will be given the first supplies of the vaccine. They include:
– Children and young adults age 6 months through 24 years;
– Pregnant women;
– People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old;
– Health care workers and emergency medical services personnel;
– People ages 25-64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
Officials are also seeking volunteers needed to help staff all clinic sites. To sign up to be a volunteer, dial 2-1-1, download an application at www.leeeoc.com (located under the Breaking News section) or pick one up at your local library. The application can be submitted directly online, or you can fax or mail it (information located on the application form.)