Extra help needed to administer H1N1 vaccines in SE Idaho

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Story Published: Oct 8, 2009 at 4:02 PM MDT

Story Updated: Oct 8, 2009 at 6:28 PM MDT

By Wes Horrocks

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POCATELLO - The Southeastern District Health Department is getting ready to vaccinate people in eight different counties, and they need your help.

The SDHD's first vaccination clinic is scheduled for October 22 at Tendoy Elementary.

They'll focus on giving the drug to high-risk groups like pregnant women, children, and those with underlying health problems.

And so far, they expect to see large crowds. Denise O'Farrell, Southeast Idaho Medical Reserve Corp. Chairwoman said, "If the phone calls that we're receiving are an indication, we'll have a lot of people at those (point of distribution) sites."

About 250 volunteers with the Medical Reserve Corp. have been asked to help, but health officials would also like to see 100 community volunteers.

Health care workers who can administer vaccinations are especially needed, along with non-medical workers to help direct crowds, and assist with paperwork. O'Farrell said, "Fifty-percent of our volunteers needed are non-medical. I think we've probably heard from 25 of our volunteers. So we need a lot more to step forward."

Clinics will be held in Bannock County and Fort Hall along with seven other surrounding counties. "There will be enough for everyone that wants to receive vaccinations," said O'Farrell.

The SDHD has only gotten a few small shipments of the H1N vaccine.

They expect more to be available soon for these free vaccination clinics. O'Farrell said, "We would just ask people to remember that we want to stick with the priority groups that have been identified by the CDC, and that there may be some wait times while they're at the clinics."

You can find out where all of the vaccination clinics are being held, and to become a volunteer on the Southeastern District Health Department website.

For a link click on Newslinks.

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