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A line for an H1N1 vaccinations Saturday in Pella began forming at 6:00 a.m. and stretched out to well over 100 people by 9:30 a.m. for a clinic that did not open until 10:00. The clinic is to vaccinate those meeting specific “priority group” criteria. Those would include pregnant women, children six months to four years of age, those who care for children under six month old, young people ages 5 to 18 years old with chronic health conditions, and health care personnel with direct patient contact with any of those priority groups.

Both the nasal mist and traditional shot varieties of the vaccine are being distributed, but those who meet the criteria for the mist vaccine will only receive that variety, or must wait until the next “priority group” clinic. Additional clinics have been tentatively scheduled for other locations in Marion County.

In related news, Marion County Public Health tells KNIA/KRLS News that absences among area schools due to all causes range from below 10% at Knoxville Schools, to as high as 19% in the Pleasantville School District.

Saturday’s clinic runs until 3:00 p.m. – or until the vaccines run out – in the cafeteria of the Pella High School. Earlier today, the KNIA/KRLS Big Radio was on location, broadcasting live and helping distribute information on H1N1. For more, visit kniakrls.com and enter the keyword “H1N1”.

Other tentative clinic dates set, and subject to change, are:
November 5 Knoxville
November 12 Bussey
November 14 Pella
November 19 Pleasantville/Melcher Dallas
November 21 Knoxville