October 24, 2009 - 08:53 a.m. EST

TUSCOLA COUNTY — The H1N1 flu vaccine is becoming available in Tuscola County.

At this time, a limited amount of both the inactivated injectable vaccine and the live-attenuated nasal spray is available.

“All of our after-school clinics are postponed until our supplies of the vaccine are adequate to conduct clinics,” explained Tuscola County Health Department Nursing Administrator Ann Hepfer, R.N.B.S. “Until further notice, we will be using the CDC subset priority groups for Limited Vaccine Availability.”

Priority groups are: pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants under age six months (e.g., parents, siblings and daycare providers), health-care and emergency medical services personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material, children aged six months - four years, and children and adolescents aged five-18 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

Children and healthy young adults between the ages of 2-24, with no chronic illnesses such as asthma, would be eligible for the H1N1 flu mist nasal spray.

The spray is the live-attenuated vaccine as compared to the inactivated vaccine that most of the above group would be receiving.

Healthy children and young adults between the ages of two-24 who do not want the nasal spray will need to wait until there are adequate supplies of injectable inactivated vaccine.

A walk-in clinic will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall (K of C), 903 Ryan Rd., Caro. Parents or legal guardians must be present for children under age 18, no exceptions.

There is no cost for the vaccine.

Participants will be screened for eligibility using the above criteria. This clinic is on a first-come, first-served basis.

A flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against flu infection.