NEWPORT-The Cocke County Health Department will offer H1N1l flu vaccine on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009 at the Cocke County Health Department from 3 to 7 p.m.

To make an appointment, call the Cocke County Health Department at 423-623-8733. The H1N1 flu vaccine will be provided at no charge.

The type of H1N1 flu vaccine being distributed is the flu shot, which is appropriate for the following individuals to receive:

• Children ages 6 months and older

• Adults of all ages

If you are not among these groups, you will not be able to receive the H1N1 vaccine on this day.

No shortage of 2009 H1N1 vaccine is expected. However initially, only limited quantities and types of vaccine will be available. The Tennessee Department of Health expects to receive enough H1N1 vaccine in coming weeks so anyone who wants to receive it, can do so.

The Cocke County Health Department will continue to announce future H1N1 clinics. Also, information about upcoming clinics and vaccine availability are on the Tennessee Department of Health Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/H1N1.htm.

Determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the following priority groups will receive the H1N1 vaccine first:

• pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;

• household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of flu-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus;

• healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;

• all people from 6 months through 24 years of age;

• persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease, associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

There are two types of influenza vaccines that protect against H1N1 flu. Flu Mist(r) is a live vaccine containing a significantly weakened version of virus that is administered in the nose and can be provided to healthy, non-pregnant persons age 2 to 49 years. The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine containing killed virus that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use among people 6 months of age or older, including healthy people and those with chronic medical conditions.

The Cocke County Health Department also urges residents to receive the seasonal flu vaccination to prevent illness. The seasonal flu vaccine is particularly recommended for the elderly, young children and people with certain health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease since they are at high risk for complications from seasonal flu.

For more information about the H1N1 or seasonal flu vaccines, call the Cocke County Health Department at 623.8733 or contact the Tennessee Flu Information Line at 1-877-252-3432. Information is also available on the Web at www.tn.gov/health or www.flu.gov.