Oct. 23--DuPage County residents are clamoring for a limited number of free H1N1 flu vaccines offered by the Health Department, officials said Thursday.
"The phones have been ringing off the hook," said Jason Gerwig, communications manager for the county. "You definitely have a lot of interest."
With 10,000 available doses of the vaccine, health officials on Monday began taking appointments for afternoon clinics Thursday through Nov. 8. At this point, appointments are only being made for people who meet priority criteria -- pregnant women, caregivers for infants, health care and emergency personnel, people ages 6 months through 24 years, and people 25 to 64 with health conditions.
Nearly 350 residents were scheduled to have shots Thursday at the department's Wheaton clinic at 111 N. County Farm Road. Only those with appointments can be vaccinated.
Those with early appointments largely opted for the injection-style vaccine, so all 3,000 doses have been reserved, Gerwig said. The Health Department has only nasal flu mist vaccines available until another shipment arrives, he said.
Health officials are expecting to eventually receive enough doses of the vaccine for all DuPage County residents who want them.
"There's no need to panic," Gerwig said, reminding residents that the best way to stay healthy and limit the spread of flu is to wash hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve and stay home if they are sick.
To make an appointment for a vaccine, call the Health Department's 24-hour hot line at: 866-311-1123
For more information on H1N1 in the county, visit protectdupage.org.
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