Van Buren-Cass District Health Department has begun its H1N1 flu vaccination clinics by limiting clinics to those individuals considered highest risk.

Because the vaccine is federally-funded, there will be NO CHARGE for the vaccine.
The next clinic for high-risk individuals will be in Dowagiac.

It will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, at Dowagiac Middle School, 57028 Riverside Drive, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This clinic is limited to those considered at highest risk of flu complications.

Groups targeted to receive vaccine include:

• Pregnant women.

• Children and young adults aged 6 months through 24 years of age.

• Individuals who live with or care for infants less than 6 months of age.

• Health care workers with DIRECT patient contact.

• Adults 25-64 years of age with underlying medical conditions.

The following conditions qualify as an “underlying medical condition” that makes a person eligible for vaccination:

• Cancer.

• Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease).

• Chronic lung disease (such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Diabetes.

• Heart disease.

• Kidney disorders.

• Liver disorders.

• Neurological disorders (such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, brain or spinal cord injuries, moderate to profound intellectual disability (mental retardation or developmental delay).
• Weakened immune systems (such as people with HIV or AIDS or who are on medications that weaken the immune system).

If you are 65 years of age or older, you WILL NOT be vaccinated at this clinic.
However, once adequate supply of the H1N1 is received, the health department will be holding clinics for the general public. You will be able to receive an H1N1 vaccine at that time.

Additional clinics will be held in the South Haven and Paw Paw areas as soon as adequate supplies of vaccine become available.

If you do not fit into one of the groups mentioned, you will not be served.

The health department’s H1N1 vaccine supply for this clinic is limited. It is very important to vaccinate those individuals considered highest risk first.

Eventually, once the supply of the vaccine increases, everyone who wants the vaccine will be able to get it.

There will be additional clinics to accommodate individuals not in the above target of groups and for children less than 10 years of age who will need a second dose of the vaccine.

The health department asks the public to please stay home if they are sick and not bring any sick children to these clinics.

Children under 18 years of age MUST be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
If a parent and-or legal guardian is unable to accompany a child and the child comes with another responsible adult they can still be vaccinated as long as the responsible adult has a written statement from the parent and-or legal guardian giving the health department permission to vaccinate their child.

You may have a long wait outdoors before the facility is opened, so be prepared by dressing according to the weather.

A registration form for the H1N1 vaccination clinic will be available on the health department’s Web site, www.vbcassdhd.org.

To shorten your time at the clinic, please bring the completed form with you.

Please check the Van Buren-Cass District Health Department’s Web site at www.vbcassdhd.org for the most current information on H1N1 and clinic schedules.