Hospitals, Clinics, Doctors’ Offices Receiving Vaccine

As more doses of H1N1 vaccine are delivered to hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices in the city, Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) officials are encouraging people at greatest risk for flu and flu complications to contact their family doctors and make arrangements to get vaccinated.

"The best place to get an H1N1 flu vaccination is your own family doctor or other regular medical provider," stated Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Terry Mason, M.D. "Now is the time for people who want a flu vaccination to contact their doctor to find out when they can get vaccinated."

For Chicago residents who do not have a doctor or whose doctor does not plan to give H1N1 vaccinations, CDPH will offer H1N1 flu vaccinations at six locations across the city. The vaccinations are for people at increased risk for flu and flu complications:

• pregnant women

• all children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years

• people who live with and/or care for infants younger than 6 months of age

• people age 25-64 with chronic health conditions (like asthma or diabetes)

• health care workers

The six locations are:

• Kennedy King College, 6301 S. Halsted

• Olive Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn

• Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski

• Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson

• Arturo Velasquez Institute, 2800 S. Western

• Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett

The locations will be open to serve Chicago residents at increased risk on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays---starting Saturday, October 24.

Hours of operation are 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturdays.

No appointments are necessary, and all vaccinations will be delivered free of charge, on a first come/first served basis.

People who are allergic to eggs should not receive the vaccination.

In addition to doctors’ offices and public health vaccination sites, H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available at retail pharmacies in the weeks ahead----giving Chicagoans ample opportunities to get vaccinated.

College students in the city are advised to check in with their campus health service to see if and when H1N1 vaccinations will be offered.

“This is a time for all Chicagoans to be patient and think prevention,” added CDPH Immunization Program Medical Director Julie Morita, M.D. “Every week, thousands of doses of H1N1 vaccine are arriving in the city and suburbs. Assuming that vaccine production continues as anticipated, it is fair to say that every Chicagoan who wants an H1N1 vaccination will be able to get one in the weeks and months to come."

In addition to getting a flu vaccination, CDPH officials advise all Chicagoans to:

• make an extra effort to cover coughs and sneezes, and wash hands regularly with soap and water.

• stay home from work and/or school if you have influenza-like symptoms (coughing, sore throat and a fever).

• remind parents of young children to teach these good health habits to their sons and daughters---and to plan ahead and make home-care arrangements for their children on days when they are ill and should be kept home from school or day care.

For local information on flu prevention, go online to www.cityofchicago.org/swineflu.

For a national perspective on the flu pandemic, visit www.flu.gov.

For an international perspective, visit www.who.int.