Arlington Heights will have H1N1 vaccine clinic Saturday
The Arlington Heights Health Services Department is the surprise recipient of 1,000 doses of the rare vaccine against H1N1 flu - apparently by mistake.
Nevertheless, the department will give the shots Saturday to Arlington Heights residents who fit the priority categories set by the CDC - and who make reservations by telephone Thursday evening.
Most suburbs have not gotten an allotment of vaccine to give to the general public.
However, the Illinois Department of Public Health thought Arlington Heights was using the vaccine to inoculate health care providers, said Kelly Jakubek, IDPH spokeswoman.
Either Arlington Heights made a mistake on its application or the IDPH misunderstood, she said. Either way, the IDPH isn't asking for the vaccine back.
"The point is to work together," said Jakubek. "They now have the vaccine and are able to get it out to the community."
Mary Sterrenberg, supervising nurse for Arlington Heights, says there are a few important facts to know about this batch of vaccine.
• This particular batch is certified for people over age 4. Younger children should not get it.
• The vaccine contains trace amounts of Thimersol, a preservative with mercury.
• Only injections are available, not the nose spray.
• Healthy people older than 24 should wait and let younger people and others considered high risk for influenza complications get these shots. Senior citizens should realize that unlike most flus, H1N1 is more dangerous to young people who have not acquired a natural immunity.
Thimersol is not in the nasal spray or single-dose injection versions of the vaccine, said Jakubek.
Sterrenberg ordered vaccine in August, but was amazed when it actually arrived.
"It's a blessing," she said, "and all blessings come with a price. There will be some unhappy people. We thought long and hard about the best ways to do this."
Sean McDermott, spokesman for the Cook County Department of Public Health, said he was surprised to hear that Arlington Heights had gotten the vaccine, since the only certified health departments in Cook County besides the county are in Oak Park, Skokie, Evanston and Stickney.
Arlington Heights residents who want to make an appointment should call (847) 253-9661 after 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. The staff does not want to risk crashing the phone system during office hours.
Shots will be given from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, in the Health Department at Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Road.
Sterrenberg has no objection to school-age children coming to this clinic, even though schools in the Arlington Heights 60004 and 60005 ZIP codes are high on the tentative list of the Cook County Department of Public Health for general vaccinations of children when supplies are available. No date has been set for that.
The CDC classifies as a high risk: people up to age 24; caregivers of infants under 6 months old; pregnant women; health care providers; and adults 25-64 who have health conditions associated with a higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
Flu shot recipients will need to show proof of residency in Arlington Heights. A parent must accompany children under 18; and health care providers must show work identification.
People who have underlying health conditions will have to fill out forms stating what they are, said Sterrenberg. However, they will be taken at their word.