Younger population encouraged to get H1N1 vaccine

Barton Hospital, S. Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Everyone seems to be getting the H1N1 flu vaccine, except those who need it the most - those under 24 years of age.

Flu season is never over for the H1N1 virus. Unlike seasonal flu, H1N1 can hit a community any time during the year.

Feb. 3 could be the last free clinic this spring for the community, organized by Barton Health. Go to South Tahoe Middle School Feb. 3 from 3-6 p.m. to get your free H1N1 swine flu vaccine, courtesy of Barton Health in partnership with the Lake Tahoe Unified School District and El Dorado Public Health.

This clinic is open to every one who wishes to receive the H1N1 vaccination, ages 6 months and older. It could also be an opportunity for children ages 9 and younger who need a second dose, to receive it.

"We are not seeing the high risk population in our vaccination clinics," said Darcie Carpenter, Barton's director of infection control. "The older folks are taking advantage of the vaccine, but the true high risk group for H1N1 illness is the younger population.

"Barton has had 12 hospitalizations over the last six months due to the H1N1 illness and out of those 12 cases, two-thirds were under the age of 30, one as young as 15 months, and all were under the age of 57," she said.

The H1N1 swine flu virus is most dangerous to children, teens, and those who have chronic health conditions and pregnant women.

The H1N1 vaccine was manufactured and FDA approved in the same way that the season flu vaccine is created, so it's just as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine. Barton has not received any of the recalled vaccination lots.

Barton Health is encouraging everyone in our community to get vaccinated before the next outbreak hits.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the H1N1 cases peaked nationally in November and they anticipate another rise in cases this spring. The CDC reports that for the third week of January, there were four children who died of the H1N1 flu virus, nationwide.

Information on H1N1 swine flu at www.flu.gov or check with your physician.

Details on Barton's H1N1 vaccine clinics at (530) 543-5615 or www.bartonhealth.org/flu.