Thanks to a new shipment of the H1N1 flu vaccine, the Buncombe County Health Center will hold an open clinic from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Biltmore Square Mall. For the first time this season, the vaccine will be free to everyone who shows up.
“A shipment of H1N1 vaccine arrived this week that will enable the Health Center to open the community clinic to everyone interested in getting the vaccine,” an announcement from the center reads. “We have received both Flu Mist and Flu shots and both are free to the public.”
Previously, the center only offered the vaccine to select, at-risk populations due to limited supplies. Now, however, the center’s announcement “encourages everyone, especially those in priority groups, to get their H1N1 flu vaccine this Saturday, just in time for the vaccine to be effective by the holidays.”
Supplies of the vaccine have also been distributed to local physicians so they can administer them to especially high-risk patients, such as children or pregnant women.
The full announcement is below.
— David Forbes, staff writer
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Buncombe County Health Center is holding an H1N1 flu vaccine clinic this Saturday, December 12th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Biltmore Square Mall near Dillard’s. A shipment of H1N1 vaccine arrived this week that will enable the Health Center to open the community clinic to EVERYONE interested in getting the vaccine. We have received both Flu Mist and Flu shots and both are free to the public.
Sue Ellen Morrison, Disease Control Manager, encourages everyone, especially those in priority groups, to get their H1N1 flu vaccine this Saturday, just in time for the vaccine to be effective by the holidays. This will be the first community clinic open to anyone.
Important information:
– Anyone who has had seasonal Flu Mist must wait at least 28 days before having H1N1 Flu Mist. These people may have the H1N1 shot at any time after the flu mist.
– Children who are under 10 years of age will need to have a second dose of the H1N1 vaccine in order to have full immunity from this novel flu. The second vaccine should be received 4 weeks after the first.
– The Health Center has given area physicians a supply of vaccine for their patients, especially pregnant or pediatric patients and those who fall into a high risk group. Those who are unable to attend the clinic on Saturday should check with their physician to see if they have any vaccine.
For more information the public can call The Flu Vaccine Hotline (250-6400) or visit the web at www.buncombecounty.org.
do not take a shot. take your much more effective and much less damaging vitamin d instead.