Lake County ready with flu shots

Lake County is trying to cover all the bases in regard to two types of influenza.

H1N1 and common seasonal flu are the focus of the initiatives being rolled out by the county health department. Seasonal flu will get the attention first because of vaccine availability.

Part of the effort involves operating nine, one-day clinics offering seasonal flu shots starting Friday, Sept. 4, 1:30 to 3 p.m., at the county's community health center at 2215 14th St., North Chicago. The clinics will travel to nine Lake County towns.

Officials said the flu vaccine will cost $35 for adults 19 and older and $10 for those who are younger, but is covered under Medicare Part B, Medicaid and the state's All Kids program.

"We are strongly encouraging residents to receive vaccinations this fall for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu," said health department Executive Director Irene Pierce. "The seasonal flu vaccine will not provide protection against the H1N1 flu and vice versa."

Pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers, adults 50 and older and children 6 months to 18 years old are especially encouraged by the health department to get the seasonal flu shot.

Meanwhile, deliveries of the H1N1 vaccine are scheduled for late October in Lake County. Bill Mays, the county's director of community health services, said Wednesday the federal government's vaccine shipments are dictated by population.

Target groups for the H1N1 shots include those 6 months to 24 years old, and health care and emergency medical services employees. Also of concern is anyone 24 to 64 years old with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or asthma.

Mays said it's not known how many Lake County residents have H1N1, at first popularly called swine flu. He said the Illinois Department of Public Health no longer provides updated statistics as it did in the early stages of the flu last summer.

"I think early on in the pandemic, it was probably important to keep track of existing cases," Mays said.

Accuracy is a problem in attempting to track those with H1N1, he added. For example, health officials never would learn about someone with a mild case who stays home to recover.

Frequent hand washing, staying home if you are sick and sneezing are among the common-sense, flu-prevention tips from the health department.

Get your seasonal flu shots

The Lake County Health Department will operate nine rotating clinics for seasonal flu shots. The vaccine will cost $35 for adults 19 and older and $10 for those who are younger, but is covered under Medicare Part B, Medicaid and the state's All Kids program.

Following are clinic availabilities.

•Sept. 4, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Lake County's community health center, 2215 14th St., North Chicago. Walk-in only.

•Sept. 9, 9 a.m. to noon, St. Mark's Education Center, 1840 Grand Ave., Lindenhurst. Walk-up only.

•Sept. 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Warren Township Senior Center, 17801 W. Washington St., on Gurnee's border. Appointments accepted at lakecountyflu.com.

•Sept. 18, 9 a.m. to noon, The Regent Center, 1200 Regent Drive, Mundelein. Walk-in only.

•Sept. 29, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Libertyville Civic Center, 135 W. Church St., Libertyville. Walk-up only.

•Oct. 2, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Ela Township Center, 1025 Old McHenry Road, Lake Zurich. Appointments at lakecountyflu.com.

•Oct. 2, 1:15 to 3:15 p.m., Round Lake Area Senior Center, 814 Hart Road, Round Lake. Walk-in only.

•Oct. 7, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Waukegan Township Park Place, 414 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan. Walk-up only.

•Oct. 9, 9 a.m. to noon, Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Senior Center, Dickinson Hall, 100 E. Old Mill Road, Lake Forest. Appointments at lakecountyflu.com.

Source: Lake County Health Department