Amador County - Amador County Health Officer Dr. Robert Hartmann announced Friday that the Public Health Department has scheduled another H1N1 vaccine clinic open to individuals that fall into H1N1 high risk groups. Hartmann said limits in the amount of vaccine distributed means his department must first focus on priority groups. These groups are individuals age 6 months to 24 years old, pregnant women, individuals who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months, health care and emergency medical services personnel, and individuals who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications. Hartmann said it takes four to six months to produce the vaccine, and since the virus burst on the scene in March, an H1N1 vaccine was not included in this year’s initial flu vaccine production. Public Health Director Angel LeSage said the vaccine is coming “in waves.” Waits of up to three hours have been reported for the free clinics provided so far to those determined to be at the highest risk of catching the virus. Between 2000 and 2500 people have been vaccinated in Amador County. “There have been problems with the distribution of the (H1N1 vaccine). Thus far, Amador County has received only about 60 percent of the amount we’re supposed to get though the end of October, and then we were to get additional November shipments and we just haven’t seen those yet,” said Hartmann. He said there is currently a scarcity of H1N1 vaccine in the entire state. On a positive note, Hartmann said Amador County has received more vaccine per capita than most counties in the state. “The Health Department here in Amador County has really jumped on the ordering right away and we’re really in a lot better shape than some counties are,” he said. A frequent question posed to Hartmann has been when the vaccine will become available to other residents who don’t fall in the high risk categories. “We anticipate that when we get an adequate supply we will be having clinics up at the Health and Human Services building…but right now that could be as soon as late November or in reality it’s probably going to be December or even early January,” said Hartmann. The clinic will be Thursday, November 19th from 3:30 to 5:30 pm at 10877 Conductor Boulevard in Sutter Creek. For further information, call the Flu Line at 223-6697 or Public Health at 223-6407. Story by Alex Lane This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.