LEWISTON - Public Health - Idaho North Central District (PHINCD) began free weekly H1N1 vaccination clinics Wednesday.

Public Health offices in Lewiston, Moscow, Grangeville, Orofino, and Kamiah held the clinics for high-risk groups and vaccinations were free of charge, according to the district web site.

For now the clinics will only be for:
• Pregnant women
• Medically fragile children 6 months through 18 years of age
• Family members living with babies less than 6 months of age
• EMS Personnel

Public Health officials say they will continue to hold the clinics, changing the priority groups based on the availability of vaccine. They say the district is continuing to work with healthcare providers and schools to reach the priority groups.

“Once good coverage of priority groups has been achieved PHINCD will encourage all citizens to protect themselves, coworkers and the community by getting the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination,” information posted on the web site says. “PHINCD will make the vaccine more broadly available in the community through healthcare providers and through special flu clinics.”

Consent forms must be filled out to receive the vaccine. They may be found online or filled out at the clinics.

There are two different ways of receiving the vaccine, nasal spray or an injected vaccine. Officials say both are just as effective, however risk categories dictate which can be used at the time of vaccination.

For information: http://idahopublichealth.com/

Call: 208-799-3100