As more H1N1 vaccine comes, priorities grow in Oklahoma City

Four public swine flu immunization clinics are scheduled this month at Oklahoma City-area schools, including one Saturday at John Marshall High School.

Vaccinations at the clinics are free. They will be offered to those in the priority groups, which have expanded to include pregnant women, people 6 months to 18 years old, custodial parents of infants younger than 6 months old, adults age 19 to 64 with chronic disease and health care workers who have direct contact with acutely ill patients.

About 93,100 doses of shots and nasal spray are expected this week for distribution to county health departments and some health care providers.

"Although the amount of vaccine that our state has received so far is not enough to meet the demand, our goal is to deliver as many vaccinations as possible,” state Epidemiologist Dr. Kristy Bradley said.

"The H1N1 flu virus continues to strike children and pregnant women particularly hard. We encourage people included in the priority groups to continue to seek a vaccination.”

City clinics set

The Oklahoma City clinics are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at these dates and locations:

• Saturday: John Marshall High School, 12201 N Portland Ave.

• Nov. 14: Star Spencer High School, 3001 N Spencer Road, Spencer.

• Nov. 14: Douglass Mid-High School, 900 Martin Luther King Ave.

• Nov. 21: Northwest Classen High School, 2801 NW 27.

No seasonal flu vaccinations will be given at the clinics. Spanish translators will be available.

For more information, call the state Health Department toll-free H1N1 hot line at (866) 278-7134.