Approximately 30,000 residents have been vaccinated in Lee County against the H1N1 virus and some 6,000 children under the age of 10 need to come back for their second dose of the vaccine.

For this reason, the Lee County Health Department will host additional H1N1 vaccination clinics for those children and any remaining individuals in the priority groups.

“The response from families bringing their children has been very positive. However, we don’t want parents to forget those kids under 10 years old need that second dose of vaccine in order to be thoroughly immunized,” said Judith A. Hartner, M.D., M.P.H., M.P.A., director of the Lee County Health Department, in a prepared statement.

H1N1 vaccinations will occur:

– Thursday, Dec. 3: Mariner High School from 4 9 p.m. ( 701 Chiquita Blvd., Cape Coral)

– Saturday, Dec. 5: Fort Myers High School from 9 a.m. 3:30 p.m. (2635 Cortez Blvd. Fort Myers)

– Monday, Dec. 7: Lehigh Senior High School from 4 – 9 p.m., 901 Gunnery Road, Lehigh Acres)

– Saturday, Dec. 12: Estero High School from 9 a.m. 3:30 p.m. (21900 River Ranch Road, Estero)

Due to the limited H1N1 vaccine supply, only children needing a second dose and those in priority groups will receive the vaccine. Even if parents haven’t gotten their children the initial H1N1 dose, they should still come to a clinic and the second dose will be available in January through the Lee County Health Department, officials said.

Please be aware that individuals age 65 years and over are not in the priority group based on any pre-existing health conditions. All individuals not a part of a priority group, will be turned away.

The priority groups include:

– Pregnant women

– Children and young adults age 6 months through 24 years

– People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old

– Health care workers and emergency medical services personnel

– People age 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza

Always remember before departing for any clinic site, to verify the date and time as the schedule is subject to change based on availability of vaccine. To verify clinic information, log onto the Lee County Health Department Web site at www.LeeCHD.com

Source: Lee County Health Department