United Way of Larimer County

From our Partners at the Larimer County Health Department:

Registration opens TODAY for H1N1 clinic #4: priority groups expand to adults with chronic illnesses

On Monday, November 9, the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment will open registration for the November 15th H1N1 vaccination clinic. Eligibilit...y will expand to include adults from 18 to 64 years old who have chronic health conditions that put them at risk for complications from H1N1 influenza. The November 15th clinic will be held from noon – 5 pm at The Ranch, Larimer County Fairgrounds, First National Exhibition Hall. Chronic conditions* include: asthma, obesity, cancer, heart and lung conditions, HIV/AIDS, leukemias, and weakened immune systems among others. Beginning at 10 am November 9, Larimer County residents who are in the eligible priority groups can register for an appointment at www.larimerflu.org or by telephone registration at 670-6028. Telephone registration will be available in Spanish and English.

With this expansion, the upcoming clinics are reserved for the following seven priority groups:· pregnant women (shots only)· parents, household members, and/or caretakers of infants under six months old · all children age 6 months old through 4 years old · children 5 through 18 years old with underlying health conditions, such as asthma and other chronic conditions (shots only)· adults from 18 through 64 with chronic health conditions that put them at risk for complications from influenza (shots only)· health care workers and emergency medical services providers with direct patient contact· Healthy children 5 through 18 (Flu Mist nasal spray vaccine only). According to Dr. Adrienne LeBailly, director of the Health Department, children and adults who have chronic diseases* as well as pregnant women are eligible for a flu shot only. Shots will be prioritized for these people. “Flu Mist (nasal spray) is a very good choice for healthy children and adults under 50 who have no chronic illnesses and are not pregnant,” LeBailly said. “It cannot be used in anyone age 50 and over. “With our limited supply of vaccine at this time, we’d like to reserve the shots for those high risk individuals who cannot take FluMist.”For registration information and general local information on H1N1 (swine) flu, visit www.larimerflu.org. For general information on H1N1 influenza and vaccination, visit www.flu.gov.*Chronic illnesses include:· Cancer· Blood disorders (including sickle cell disease)· Chronic lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)· Diabetes· Heart disease · Kidney disorders· Liver disorders· Neurological disorders such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy, brain or spinal cord injuries, moderate to profound intellectual disability [mental retardation] or developmental delay· Neuromuscular disorders (such as muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis)· Weakened immune systems (such as people with HIV or AIDS or who are on medications that weaken the immune system )Read More