Panhandle Health District will provide H1N1 influenza vaccinations by appointment on Saturday, Oct. 24, to people in the five northern counties who fit into the vaccination target groups set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Those groups are:
•Pregnant women;
•People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age;
•Everyone from 6 months of age through 24 years;
•People from age 25 through 64 with chronic health problems such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or a condition that weakens the immune system;
•Healthcare and emergency response workers.

Vaccination clinics will be open in Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone and west and east Benewah counties from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Clinic locations will be given when appointments are made Thursday, Oct. 22, starting at 9 a.m. on PHD’s toll-free appointment line, 1-877-415-5225. Because federal distribution of vaccine is delayed, arrival of large quantities is unpredictable. Appointments will be taken until no more vaccine is available.

PHD receives shipments of vaccine weekly. Vaccinations begin in area schools on Monday, Oct. 19. More public vaccination clinics are planned in the coming weeks.

For questions and information on H1N1 in our area, visit www.phd1.idaho.gov or call PHD’s tollfree information hotline, 1-866-528-3501.