H1N1 vaccination slots fill up quickly

Appointments for mass vaccination H1N1 flu clinics in both Salt Lake and Davis County were filled shortly after becoming available on Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning.

The Salt Lake Valley Health Department reported Tuesday that 2,160 appointments were made online within 15 minutes while 240 were made via phone in an hour. Those with an appointment will receive the vaccine Thursday and Friday at the department's four main health clinics.

That is the amount of vaccine available this week for distribution through the county. Officials said they will make additional appointments available online and by phone next Tuesday at 9 a.m.

See the county's Web site and sign up for H1N1 e-mail alerts at www.slvhealth.org/cfml/h1n1alert/index.cfm.

In Davis County, all 6,000 tickets offered for vaccination Monday afternoon were gone by 6 p.m. The tickets were date- and time-stamped, so those who have them know when to show up at the Bountiful Regional Center either Thursday, Friday or Saturday.

Officials are discouraging people from arriving early because they may have to stand outside in colder weather.

When additional shipments arrive, additional clinics will be scheduled and announced. More information is available at the Flu Information Line, 801-451-3333, or on the Web site at www.daviscountyutah.gov/flu.