EL PASO COUNTY - It took around two hours for the second El Paso County H1N1 Vaccination Clinic at New Life Church to run out of the 1,800 vaccines Friday morning.
People began lining up at 6:30 a.m. for the opening at 8:30. At 10, Health Department officials announced that the vaccine would run out. The clinic ended around 11:30. Previous clinics have ended with vaccine left over. Some of the vaccine at New Life remained from Wednesday's clinic at Coronado High School.
New Life's large facility made it easier to move people in and out, and allowed part of the waiting line to be inside. Some people continued to trickle in for the vaccine after the clinic ended. The Health Department plans to use a mobile unit, pharmacies and other sources to get vaccine out to the public.
The Health Department's next H1N1 flu vaccination clinic opens at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Harrison High School, 2755 Janitell Road in Colorado Springs. H1N1 flu vaccination is voluntary and will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis to members of high-risk groups at no charge, as long as vaccine supplies last. Click Here for future clinics.
H1N1 flu vaccine shots will be given to members of these high-risk groups:
What the public needs to know before coming to the clinic:
- Adult and child vaccination consent forms in English and Spanish languages are available at www.elpasocountyhealth.org for the public to download, complete and print to take to the clinic.
- Access to public parking will not be available until 6 a.m.
- The public should use New Life Drive to access parking spaces.
- Dress appropriately for the weather.
- Plan for the likelihood that you will need to stand in line outside.
- Adults and children should wear loose-fitting clothing that allows for arms (legs for children) to be exposed briefly for the H1N1 flu shot.
- Eat before going to the clinic.
- Those arriving ill or showing signs of illness will not be vaccinated and will be asked to leave. Parents are asked to leave sick children home with adult supervision and attend with well children only. All minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
The Health Department will be closed on Tuesday, Nov. 17, and Thursday, Nov. 19, so that Health Department staff can provide the H1N1 vaccination clinics schedule on those days. Members of the public are asked to plan to conduct business with the Health Department on other days.
Additional Community H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinic dates/times and locations:
- Harrison High School, 2755 Janitell Road, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 4 p.m.
- The Hangar, 6436 S. Highway 85/87, Suite R, Fountain, CO, Thursday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.
- El Paso County Department of Health and Environment, 301 S. Union Blvd., Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.
All clinics are dependent on H1N1 flu vaccine supplies and are subject to change. To confirm that the clinic is being held and that vaccine still is available, visit the Health Department’s Web site at www.elpasocountyhealth.org or call (719) 578-3199.
For more information about H1N1 flu and vaccine, visit www.elpasocountyhealth.org, or call 2-1-1, the Pikes Peak United Way’s Health and Human Services phone line, or the toll-free Colorado Help Line at (877) 462-2911.
High Risk Group Recommendations (as of Tuesday, November 10, 2009)
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is subject to change.
TIER # 1
The initial vaccine shipments will be prioritized for the highest risk priority patients including:
- Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
- People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
- Children 6 months through 4 years of age, and
- Children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.
TIER # 2
Once vaccine supply is adequate these additional priority patients should be included for vaccination:
- Household contacts and caregivers (early childhood caregivers or care provided by family members) for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
- All Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
- All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
o Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children, and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings which increases the likelihood of disease spread; and
o Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults, and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
- Persons aged 25 and up who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
Once the demand for vaccine for the above prioritized groups has been met at the local level, the following priority groups will be considered:
TIER # 3
- Essential Service Providers (law enforcement, fire, water, electrical, communications, etc.)
TIER # 4
- Everyone else not identified above desiring to be vaccinated
