Woodburn Independent Online

Woodburn Ambulance to host flu vaccine clinic Nov. 18

• By: Rachel Cavanaugh  
• Published: 11/16/2009 9:25:23 AM

WOODBURN — Woodburn Ambulance Service and the Marion County Health Department will host a seasonal flu vaccine clinic Nov. 18 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Health officials noted the vaccine is for regular seasonal influenza, not the H1N1 vaccine, and it will not protect recipients from the H1N1 virus. However, it is “highly recommended” to get both vaccinations as they become available, officials said.

The vaccine supplied will be the nasal spray type, which means only healthy, non-pregnant individuals, age 2 to 49 years, will qualify.

Those who do not qualify include: people under 2 years, over 49 years, those with certain medical conditions (chronic heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes, kidney failure, weakened immune systems, history of wheezing, history of guillain–barré syndrome, etc), pregnant women, people with a severe allergy to chicken eggs or those allergic to any of the nasal spray vaccine components.

Also, people who have had the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine or another live vaccine less than four weeks prior to the clinic will not qualify, as nasal sprays must be spaced no less than four weeks apart.

There is no time restriction between the flu shot and a nasal spray vaccine.

Health officials advise those not eligible for the nasal spray vaccine to consult their physicians about getting a regular flu shot.

The upcoming clinic will be administered by the Marion County Health Department and is free of charge to all who qualify.

It will be held at the Woodburn Ambulance Headquarters at 1040 N. Boones Ferry Road in Woodburn. For more information, contact Toni Grimes at 503-982-4699.

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