LAKE COUNTY – Clinics for the general public to receive the Pandemic 2009 (H1N1) influenza vaccine are now being scheduled in Lake County.

Because ample supplies of vaccine are now available, people who would like to be vaccinated can choose from a variety of locations.

Lake County Public Health will provide no-cost H1N1 vaccinations to anyone over six months of age at the following locations:

• Calpine Visitor Center, 15500 Central Park Road, Middletown: Friday, Jan. 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. In order to avoid long lines, use the following schedule according to the first letter of your last name: A-H, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; I-P, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Q-Z, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive, Lucerne: Thursday, Jan. 28, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In order to avoid long lines, use the following schedule according to the first letter of your last name: A-H, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; I-P, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.; Q-Z, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Clearlake: Date and time to be announced in the near future.

In addition, Lake County Public Health at 922 Bevins Court in Lakeport will provide the vaccine on a walk-in basis on Tuesdays between 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. This will continue until further notice or until vaccine supplies are exhausted.

People can also check with their doctor, clinic or local pharmacist in order to get vaccinated.

Everyone is encouraged to be vaccinated in order to prevent additional waves of H1N1 illness in the coming months.

 

Vaccination with 2009 H1N1 vaccine continues to be particularly important for people in the initial target groups, including pregnant women; household contacts and caregivers of infants younger than six months of age; health care and emergency medical services personnel; all individuals six months through 24 years of age; and individuals 25 through 64 years of age who have medical conditions associated with higher risk of complications from influenza.

Among those who have been waiting to get vaccine are people 65 years and older as well as people 25-64 who do not have a chronic medical condition. These groups are now encouraged to get vaccinated.

While older people have been less likely to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus compared to younger people, there have been severe infections and deaths from 2009 H1N1 in every age group, including people 65 and older.