The Cochise County Health Department is announcing the first five H1N1 vaccination clinics of this flu season.  The population targeted for vaccination at these clinics is school-aged children 5 through 18 years of age.  Both healthy children and children with underlying medical conditions are eligible to be vaccinated at these Health Department clinics.

The clinics will be held from 3pm to 7pm as follows:

• Friday, October 23, Sierra Vista Health Department. 4115 E. Foothills Drive, Sierra Vista;

• Tuesday, October 27, Bisbee Health Department, 1415 Melody Lane, Bldg A, Bisbee;

• Wednesday, October 28,Willcox Health Department, 450 S. Haskell, Willcox;

• Thursday, October 29, Benson High School (cafeteria), 360 S. Patagonia St., Benson;

• Friday, October 30, Douglas High School (cafeteria),1500 Fifteenth St., Douglas.

Both nasal spray and injectable formulations of the vaccine will be available.  Vaccine will not be administered to children that are sick with fever or have flu-like symptoms, that are allergic to eggs, or that have received a seasonal flu vaccination within the past 30 days.  Other health-related qualifying questions will be asked at the clinics.  Doses will be administered on a first come, first served basis.  The vaccine supply is very limited.

All parents are asked to bring their children’s immunization records (the VFC “Blue Card”) with them.

For children with underlying medical conditions the Health Department suggests that parents bring with them information that confirms their child’s diagnosis.  This will allow clinical staff to determine the formulation of the vaccine they should receive. 

According to the CDC underlying medical conditions include, but are not limited to: immune suppression, pregnancy, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, asthma or other problems of the lungs, sickle cell disease, and those on long-term aspirin therapy for chronic disorders. In addition, children with any condition that affects respiratory function including neurological conditions such as intellectual and developmental disability, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, metabolic conditions or other neuromuscular disorders have higher risk.

Vaira Harik, Cochise County Health Director, explains that “the patients being vaccinated at these first clinics—healthy kids as well as kids with underlying medical conditions—are drawn from both the first and second CDC priority groups.  I’ve had to make some common sense decisions here.  The H1N1 vaccine we’ve received first is not appropriate for some of the people in Tier 1.  Do I leave it in the refrigerator until we’re done with Tier 1?  No.  Since school-age kids are presently being hit very hard by H1N1 here in Cochise County I want to get as much vaccine into them as quickly as I can.  So, the nasal mist formulation will be offered to healthy kids and the very limited number of injectable doses we have will be offered to kids with underlying medical conditions.”

In addition to Health Department vaccination clinics, H1N1 vaccine will soon be received by the Raymond W. Bliss Army Health Center on Ft. Huachuca, Arizona Family Care Associates (AFCA) in Sierra Vista, and by the Chiricahua Community Health Centers in Douglas.  These three facilities are making their own vaccine administration plans.  The public is asked to contact them directly for further information.