CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. -- Catawba County Public Health is now taking H1N1 vaccine appointments for the five target groups recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The target groups are composed of people who are at high risk for H1N1 influenza or are likely to have medical complications if they became sick with H1N1.
The five target groups are:
- Pregnant women
- People who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and day care providers)
- Health care and emergency medical services personnel
- People 6 months through 24 years of age
- People 25 years through 64 years of age who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications. Chronic medical conditions include asthma, neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, chronic lung disease, heart disease, blood disease (such as sickle cell anemia), diabetes, kidney disorder, liver disorder, and those who have a weakened immune system due to disease or medication such as cancer, HIV and AIDS.
Since the beginning of October, over 23,500 doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been delivered and administered through a network of over 70 local medical providers, pharmacies, hospitals and Public Health. As additional shipments of H1N1 vaccine are received and those in the target populations are vaccinated, H1N1 vaccine will be available to everyone in the general public.
Catawba County Public Health offers H1N1 vaccine free of charge.
Seasonal flu vaccine is also available free of charge to children ages 6 months to 18 years of age by appointment.
For more information on the H1N1 vaccine, seasonal flu vaccine or to make an appointment, please call Catawba County Public Health at 828-695-5800 or visit www.catawbacountync.gov/phealth.
