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About 6,000 to 7,000 Nevada County residents have received H1N1 swine flu vaccinations so far, distributed through county-run clinics and private practitioners, county Public Health Director Karen Milman said Wednesday.
“We're expecting that to go up quite a bit with the next clinics (that have been) scheduled,” she said.
The federal government had issued a “turnout goal” of 50 percent, Milman said.
“You want to get at least 30 percent, to decrease the impact (of the flu) on medical facilities,” she said. “Of course, I want everyone to protect themselves.”
So far, the county has been seeing about 30 to 40 percent turnout at its clinics, Milman estimated.
The Public Health Department vaccination clinics started with those most at risk. Three high school clinics took place at the beginning of the month and were followed by a clinic Tuesday that included pregnant women, children and young adults.
A clinic on Saturday will target people working in health care, law enforcement, fire protection and education and a clinic set for Dec. 17 is the first day the vaccine will be made available to the general public.
County health workers are preparing for longer lines at the Dec. 17 clinic, which is open to all county residents, and the possibility they may run out of vaccine before everyone receives some.
“We'll vaccinate until 8 p.m. or until the vaccine runs out,” Milman said. “We think we'll have a high turnout — we just don't know. The goal is to get as many people vaccinated as soon as possible, but there still is a limited supply. Running out is a possibility — it has happened in other counties.”
The Dec. 17 clinic runs from 1 to 8 p.m. at Grass Valley Veterans Memorial Building, 255 S. Auburn St. The vaccine is free of charge, but residents should be prepared to show valid proof of residency.
County officials expect to receive more shipments of the vaccine, enough to offer it to all residents by the new year.
The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the vaccine for pregnant women, caregivers of infants under six month of age, health care professionals, children and young adults to age 24, and adults 19-64 with underlying health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or neuromuscular disease.
To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4229.
“We're expecting that to go up quite a bit with the next clinics (that have been) scheduled,” she said.
The federal government had issued a “turnout goal” of 50 percent, Milman said.
“You want to get at least 30 percent, to decrease the impact (of the flu) on medical facilities,” she said. “Of course, I want everyone to protect themselves.”
So far, the county has been seeing about 30 to 40 percent turnout at its clinics, Milman estimated.
The Public Health Department vaccination clinics started with those most at risk. Three high school clinics took place at the beginning of the month and were followed by a clinic Tuesday that included pregnant women, children and young adults.
A clinic on Saturday will target people working in health care, law enforcement, fire protection and education and a clinic set for Dec. 17 is the first day the vaccine will be made available to the general public.
County health workers are preparing for longer lines at the Dec. 17 clinic, which is open to all county residents, and the possibility they may run out of vaccine before everyone receives some.
“We'll vaccinate until 8 p.m. or until the vaccine runs out,” Milman said. “We think we'll have a high turnout — we just don't know. The goal is to get as many people vaccinated as soon as possible, but there still is a limited supply. Running out is a possibility — it has happened in other counties.”
The Dec. 17 clinic runs from 1 to 8 p.m. at Grass Valley Veterans Memorial Building, 255 S. Auburn St. The vaccine is free of charge, but residents should be prepared to show valid proof of residency.
County officials expect to receive more shipments of the vaccine, enough to offer it to all residents by the new year.
The National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the vaccine for pregnant women, caregivers of infants under six month of age, health care professionals, children and young adults to age 24, and adults 19-64 with underlying health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or neuromuscular disease.
To contact Staff Writer Liz Kellar, e-mail lkellar@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4229.
