Officials expect to have H1N1 shots for clinics

FAYETTEVILLE — After gathering recent reports, Washington County Department of Emergency Management officials are now anticipating to have the H1N1 vaccine available for the county's mass flu clinics, which are to be held Oct. 29.

The H1N1 vaccine - often referred to as swine flu - was to be given out at the mass clinics only if available to everyone who wished to receive the shot. But it wasn't until recently that officials were confident the H1N1 would become available.

"We're about 95 percent sure we'll have it," said Rick Johnson of the department of emergency management. "So we have to prepare like we're going to get it."

With the H1N1 now expected to be part of the mass clinic, officials must now deal with other concerns that might not have presented themselves before. Instead of getting just one shot, those receiving the H1N1 will now get two vaccines if they also want the standard flu shot. These vaccines must be given in different arms, according to health officials, and that could mean a slower line of traffic at the county's drive-through clinic site at Fayetteville's Drake Field.

"It just slows thing down a little bit," Emergency Management Director John Luther said. "The traffic is the biggest thing, but that's the beauty of our meetings here is we get to work those things out."

The county is holding two mass clinics on the same day this year, but only the Drake Field site will be a drive-through clinic. The other site, located at the Jones Center for Families in Springdale, will be a walk-in clinic and shouldn't be affected as much by the additionof the H1N1 vaccine.

"Parking is the main concern there," Johnson said.

The two clinics will be held from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 29, and with the addition of the H1N1 vaccine, Luther said there will also be a need for more volunteers. Before finding out the H1N1 would most likely be available, the local emergency planning committee had determined 20 volunteer nurses, eight translators, 20 runners and 35 clerical workers would be stationed evenly at the two mass clinic sites.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the mass clinics should contact the Washington County Department of Emergency Management at 444-1722.