H1N1 vaccine arrives in Carlton County

Wendy Johnson
Nov 10, 2009 (The Pine Journal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --

The H1N1 vaccine has arrived in Carlton County -- but don't blink.

Dave Lee, director of Carlton County Public Health and Human Services, told county commissioners at their regular session on Tuesday that the county was expecting some 150 doses of injectable H1N1 vaccine to arrive at any time.

A communication sent later in the day confirmed that Carlton County Public Health and Human Services had, indeed, received a portion of the expected amount of injectable H1N1 vaccine and will be holding walk-in clinics (no appointments needed) on Thursday, Nov. 12, from noon until 5 p.m. and on Friday, Nov. 13, from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. or until the vaccine is gone.

The clinics will be held at Carlton County Public Health, 30 Tenth Street North, Cloquet.

Raiter Clinic of Cloquet also announced on Tuesday that the clinic has received a limited supply of H1N1 vaccine that will be administered through scheduled appointments by calling 218-655-1583.

At this time, the vaccine at both locations will be targeted for those groups who are considered to be at high risk if they contract H1N1, including: pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants under the age of 6 months, children aged 6 months through 4 years, and children and adolescents aged 5-18 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications (asthma, diabetes, immune suppression).

In addition, the county clinics will include health-care and emergency medical services personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material (and who are not eligible for the flu mist).

According to Carrie Umpierre of Carlton County Public Health, to receive a vaccine, you must:

-- Be free of flu symptoms;

-- Be in one of the priority groups; and

-- Present your medical insurance card or government health insurance card. There is no charge for the vaccine itself but there will be an administration fee billed to your insurance. Vaccination administration fees are covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance companies. If you don't have insurance you will not be turned away or charged an administration fee.

In the near future, Carlton County Public Health will also be providing flu mist for children ages 2-9 that are eligible, though once again, the county will only be receiving a small amount of the mist. Anyone having further questions should call 218-879-4511.

"We are told that there will eventually be enough vaccine for everyone who wants it," said Umpierre. "We ask for your patience now as we have only limited amounts."

In the meantime, many schools in the area are reporting that student absenteeism has started to diminish in recent days.

"It's been a wonderful couple of weeks," said Sarah Ellena, district nurse for Cloquet schools. "Absenteeism in most buildings has fallen into the low teens, so I'm reassured by what I'm seeing."

However, Ellena said a district flu inoculation clinic originally slated for Nov. 18 has been cancelled, due to lack of available vaccine.

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