The Madison and Dane County Public Health Department announced the first community H1N1 vaccination clinics at a press conference Friday afternoon.
Dr. Thomas Schlenker, director of the department, said the clinics will target those who are at the highest risk for developing H1N1-related complications, especially those who are uninsured or do not have access to a health-care provider.
""We were resupplied with vaccines earlier this week,"" Schlenker said. ""And our challenge now is to get the vaccine to the people who need it the most.""
The clinics will be held on Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center.
On Tuesday, pregnant women, children from six to 23 months old, and children five to 18 years old with underlying health conditions such as asthma will receive vaccinations. Children two to four years old, people living with children less than six months of age and child care providers of children less than six months of age will be treated on Wednesday.
Schlenker said those who do not fit the target demographic should not attend these clinics to ensure the most vulnerable may be vaccinated first.
Schlenker also said there will be more opportunities to get the H1N1 vaccination. According to him, H1N1 vaccination clinics will reopen in schools once sufficient supplies have arrived.
However, he was not able to confirm a steady flow of vaccines.
""This is just one relief,"" he said. ""My hope is that the supply will become more constant.""
Schlenker said H1N1 remains a relatively mild disease for most, and emphasized the importance of proper rest and hand sanitization to prevent the spread of the disease.
