People gathered for H1N1 vaccinations

Upwards of 300 people gathered in Orland Memorial Hall Wednesday to get an Swine flu vaccination.

Glenn County Public Health nurses and staff were immunizing children and adults. The free vaccinations were available to anyone ages 2 to 24 and ages 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions.

Also receiving shots were pregnant and nursing women, and people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months.

Deputy Director of Public Health Grinnell Norton said H1N1 vaccinations are not yet available to people older than 64 because they are the least likely to be infected. However, the vaccine will be available later for the elderly with chronic diseases, she said.

A special immunization clinic was held Tuesday for emergency first responders and medical professionals.

Immunization Coordinator Rosamarie Leal said the agency had enough vaccine to treat 600 people. Additional vaccine is expected to arrive weekly.

"The state says we're getting enough so anyone who wants one (an H1N1 vaccine) can get it," Norton said.

More people than usual are getting flu shots this year, Norton and Leal said. The Glenn County Public Health season flu clinics alone have treated 3,000 or more, Leal said. No serious reactions have been reported.

"People are motivated to get vaccines this year," Leal said, adding she thinks the reason is because the message is getting out better than normal.

H1N1 clinics will be announced once Public Health has the vaccine in hand. Regular seasonal flu clinics are from 4-6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month and 9 to 11:30 a.m. the third Tuesday at 345 Yolo St.

There have been three confirmed cases of H1N1 in Glenn County, Norton said, but none of them have been fatal, and all three patients have recovered.

Health Services Director Scott Gruendl said Thursday all three cases were in people under 30.

One patient had to go to the hospital and was put in intensive care for a time, but has since recovered very well, he said. That person also had a pre-existing health condition that complicated the illness.

Contact Lydia Harris at 934-6800 or lharris@tcnpress.com.



INFORMATION

To learn when future Swine flu clinics will be held, go to the Glenn County Web site www.countyofglen.net and find the link to flu clinics for times and locations. For more information, call 934-6588.


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