An unexpectedly large shipment of H1N1 vaccine this week has primed the pump for flu-shot clinics around Minnesota, health officials said Tuesday.
Since Friday, Minnesota has received about 100,000 doses, bringing the state total to more than 800,000 since the vaccine became available this fall.
As a result, county and city health departments are scrambling to organize clinics this week -- although most will still target high-risk populations and children. Details vary by location.
Here is a list of H1N1 flu vaccination clinics this week:
Minneapolis
Who: Kids younger than 9 who attend these seven elementary schools, and their siblings.
When: Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sheridan Elementary School; Cityview Performing Arts Magnet School; Sullivan Elementary School; and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ramsey Fine Arts Elementary.
Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Green Central Park Elementary; Lucy Craft Laney at Cleveland Park Elementary; Andersen Open Elementary School.
Details: For children without insurance or who have trouble accessing health care. Both nasal and injectable vaccine will be available, so both healthy children and those with chronic health conditions can be vaccinated. For more information: www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/emergency/flu-home.asp
Bloomington, Edina, Richfield
Who: Children ages 6 months through 9 years; children 10-18 years with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, and lung problems; children and adults who live with or care for children younger than 6 months.
When: Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Oak Grove Middle School in Bloomington; Richfield Middle School; and South View Middle School in Edina.
Details: No appointments are required, but there is a limited amount of vaccine. People are asked to wear short-sleeve shirts and to bring an insurance card if they have one. For more information: 952-563-8900.
Ramsey County
Who: Healthy children ages 2-9 with no health insurance or no vaccine coverage through their health plan.
When: Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Arlington High School in St. Paul; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, North Heights Lutheran Church, 2701 N. Rice St., Roseville.
Details: Only nasal vaccine will be available, so only healthy children are eligible. Supplies are limited and will be provided free on first-come-first-serve basis. Parents or guardian must fill out a consent form. The form is available at www.co.ramsey.mn.us/ph. For more information: www.co.ramsy.mn.us/ph or call 651-266-2440.
Hennepin County
Who: Healthy children age 6 months through 9 years who cannot obtain vaccine from their medical clinic.
When: Today, 3:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m, Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., New Hope Church, 4225 Gettysburg Av. N., New Hope.
Details: Both nasal spray and shots will be offered, but supplies are limited. A parent or guardian must accompany the child and sign a consent form, which can be downloaded at: www.hennepin.us/h1n1. The vaccines are free but families with insurance are asked to bring their insurance card.
Anoka County
Who: Healthy children 5-9. Injectable vaccine will be provided to children ages 4-18 who have chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart, kidney, and lung problems.
When: 2:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at the Schwan Center, National Sports Center in Blaine.
Details: Vaccine will be provided free to children without health insurance. Those with coverage should bring health cards for billing. Consent forms will be provided. For more information: 763-323-6100.
Dakota County
Who: Healthy children 2-9. Only nasal vaccine is available, which is not appropriate for children with health problems.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, at the Dakota County Northern Service Center, 1 Mendota Road W., West St. Paul; and the Dakota County Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Av., Apple Valley.
Details: Parents with insurance should bring insurance cards for billing purposes. The vaccine will be provided free for those without insurance. Supplies are limited. If lines are long, time-stamped tickets will be provided. For more information: www.dakotacounty.us, or call Dakota County Public Health, 651-438-4777.
Washington County
Who: Healthy kids 4-9. Some injectable vaccine is available for older kids with chronic health conditions.
When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon, Headwaters Forest Lake Service Center, 19955 Forest Road N.; Cottage Grove Service Center, 13000 Ravine Pkwy. S.; Washington County Government Center, 14949 62nd St. N., Stillwater.
Details: Parents and guardians will be given tickets to show when they arrived and to inform people toward the end of the line if supplies run out. Most of the vaccinations available Saturday will be in the flu mist form. For more information go to www.co.washington.mn.us/ To see more of the Star Tribune, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.startribune.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, Star Tribune, Minneapolis Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2009, Star Tribune, Minneapolis