Weber-Morgan health providers offering flu shots

Obstetricians, pediatricians and children's health clinics have begun receiving H1N1 vaccine from the Weber-Morgan Health Department for high-risk patients, and people are encouraged to contact their medical provider to determine whether it is available.

"Our initial shipments of H1N1 vaccine have been smaller than expected and limited in their use," Weber-Morgan health director Gary House said. "This arrangement has created a very challenging and perplexing situation for us.

"We acknowledge the public's anxiety in not being able to receive the vaccinations in a timely manner and are working to identify the most effective way to address this delay," he said. "With the bulk of our vaccine supply now going to these providers, we expect to reach at-risk populations more quickly and avoid long lines and waiting times associated with mass vaccination clinics."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those at high risk include pregnant women, household contacts of infants under 6 months old, children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years, health-care and emergency-response workers and people ages 25 to 64 with underlying health conditions such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes.

The Weber-Morgan Health Department will begin offering H1N1 vaccine on a very limited appointment basis at its Ogden site. This week's appointments are filled.

Starting Monday, Nov. 2, those who meet the criteria may call the health department at 801-399-7251 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. to make an appointment.

As vaccine quantities increase, the department will again conduct mass vaccination clinics in the community. The scheduling of these clinics will be announced on its Web site in coming weeks.

For more information, go to www.webermorganhealth.org or call the flu hotline at 801-399-8814.

— Lynn Arave