Keep listening to flu updates

Editor's Note: This column appears in the Nevada Appeal Wednesday health pages throughout the flu season. Readers interested in knowing more about this topic are urged to visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or www.flu.gov.

When can the people who are not in a high priority group get H1N1 vaccines?

Beginning Dec. 11 people 65 and older with underlying medical conditions will be eligible to receive an H1N1 vaccination. This state-wide development is the result of increasing vaccine supplies and Nevada healthcare entities having met the needs of many in high priority groups. Local health officials are optimistic that H1N1 vaccine will be available to everyone by January 2010.

The "swine" aka "novel" aka H1N1 flu has been getting a lot of exposure in the news media. Please don't tune out, because information regarding the flu and H1N1 vaccine, especially local information, is important.

Many Carson region residents in high priority groups have received their vaccine. We salute them for protecting themselves and the community. High Priority groups, which comprise slightly over 50 percent of the population, are:

• Pregnant women

• Health care and emergency medical services personnel

• People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years

• People between the ages of 25 and 64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of complications

• Household contacts and caregivers for children under the age of 6 months (babies under 6 mos. cannot be vaccinated)

And, beginning Dec. 11:

• Persons 65 and older with underlying medical conditions

CARSON CITY AREA H1N1 VACCINE CLINICS

Who: Community members in high priority groups

Where: Carson City Health and Human Services, 900 East Long Street, Carson City

When: Mondays 1-4:30 p.m.; Thursdays 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 1-4:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Priority Groups are:

• Pregnant women

• Children 6 months to 24 years old

• Caregivers of infants younger than 6 months of age

• Healthcare workers and EMTs

• Adults age 24-64 with underlying medical conditions

• Beginning Dec. 11: Adults 64 and over with underlying medical conditions

Who: Fernley Area Residents in High Priority Groups

Where: Fernley High School

When: Thursday, Dec. 17, 3-6 p.m.

Cost: Free

For Students/Youth:

• Lyon County Elementary Schools (2nd Dose): Dec. 9

• Dayton Middle School: Dec. 9

• South Lyon Elementary Schools (2nd Dose): Dec. 10

• South Lyon County Middle and High Schools: Dec. 10

• Silver Springs Middle School and High School: Dec.10

• Fernley High School: Dec. 11

• Sunflower Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 11

• Sunshine and Rainbows Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 11

• Dayton High School: Dec. 14

• Puff N Stuff Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 14

• Bethlehem Lutheran Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 14

• Robin's Nest Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec.14

• Douglas County Elementary Schools (2nd Dose): Dec. 15 and 16

• Fernley High School: Dec. 17

• Kidding Around Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec.18

• Kids Kind of Place (2nd Dose): Dec.18

• Faith Christian (2nd Dose): Dec. 18

• Trinity Lutheran Day Care: Dec.18

• Little Tykes Too Day Care (2nd Dose): Dec. 21

• Small Blessings Day Care (2nd Dose): Jan. 4, 2010

• Kids Klub Day Care (2nd Dose): Jan. 4

• ABC Learning Center (2nd Dose): Jan. 4

• Little Knights and Maidens Day Care (2nd Dose): Jan. 5

• Wilseya 4 Fun Day Care (2nd Dose): Jan. 5

Some physicians and health care providers in the community have received supplies of the vaccine. People who fall into the priority groups can contact their health care provider to see if the vaccine is available.

• Pam Graber is the public information officer for the Carson City Health and Human Services.