By Mary Drier (Contact / Staff Bio)
November 7, 2009 - 08:56 a.m. EST

CARO — Supplies are limited, but H1N1 flu shots are being given by the Tuscola County Health Department as vaccine becomes available.

Currently, the H1N1 vaccine is being distributed in small shipments to ensure it is available throughout the U.S.

Even though clinics are sporadic, officials say there is no “predicted shortage” of H1N1 vaccine, and the plan is still to have vaccination clinics in each of the county’s nine school districts, which will also include parochial school students, as supplies become available.

In a memo to the Tuscola County Commissioners, the health department noted it is currently out of seasonal flu vaccine for those 36 months - adult, and a shipment isn’t expected until the middle of the month.

The same manufacturers produced both the H1N1 and seasonal vaccines.

“As a result of this, they are having an issue keeping up production of both vaccines,” noted the memo. “There is no shortage in the seasonal flu vaccine, only a delay in shipment.

“It will not be too late to be vaccinated, even in December.”

Also, starting this week the priority key group for H1N1 has been expanded to persons six months through 64 years who have medical conditions associated with a higher risk of influenza complications.

For updated flu information, call (989) 673-8114, ext. 187. The department is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday, and closed from noon to 12:30 p.m. for lunch.

Mary Drier is a staff writer for the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at drier@tcadvertiser.com.