H1N1 vaccine restrictions loosening along Wasatch Front

Residents of at least three Wasatch Front counties can now get the H1N1 vaccination even if they don't fit the original "priority list," though Salt Lake County residents must still fit into a priority category to receive the shot.

As the availability of the vaccine grows, the rate of local illness has declined from its peak in October but is still above the epidemic stage, according to the Utah Department of Health, which was notified that three people died and 37 more were hospitalized with the virus from Nov. 22-28.

Deaths were a female between the ages of 5 and 24 in the Weber-Morgan Health District, a female over 65 in the Central Utah Health District, and a female between the ages of 50-64 in the Southwest Utah Health District.

Officials with the Davis County Health Department announced Wednesday that they will provide vaccine to the general public via a free ticket, the same way they've been distributing it to the priority groups.

"The number of people requesting the vaccine in the targeted populations has declined both last week and this week," said Lewis Garrett, Davis County health director. As a result of that declining demand and the steadily increasing supply of vaccine, the county is now making it available to everyone.

Tickets will be available Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. at the Davis Conference Center, 800 W. Heritage Park Blvd. in Layton.

Additional clinics will be announced via the county's flu information line at 801-451-3333, or by visiting the Web site at www.daviscountyutah.gov/flu.

Utah County has expanded the list of people who may get the vaccine to include those over 24 with existing medical conditions, as well as teachers and day care providers who deal with children.

Lance Madigan, spokesman for the Utah County Health Department, said those who work with children have been particularly anxious to get the vaccine. "These folks are at higher risk of exposure, and they can expose the high-risk kids they serve," he said.

Officials will continue to evaluate the numbers on a weekly basis to determine when the vaccine will be offered to the general public, he said.

The county is taking online reservations for the vaccine and keeping a handful of "first-come, first-served" doses available each day the clinics function. Details about availability for next week's vaccine will be posted on the department's Web site at www.utahcountyhealth.org.