More Minnesotans now eligible for H1N1 "swine flu" vaccine

ST. PAUL - Children, teens, young adults under 25, and many adults with chronic conditions are now able to get the H1N1 "swine flu" vaccine in Minnesota.

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Department of Health expanded its list of priority groups for the vaccine to include people:

• Age 6 months through 24 years.
• Age 25 years through 64 years with a chronic medical condition that puts them at higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
• Pregnant women.
• Health care providers or emergency medical services personnel.
• Living with or caring for children under 6 months of age.

Health officials said the supply and availability of vaccine is steadily increasing, which allowed them to expand the list of those eligible to about 2.7 million Minnesotans.  They said it's likely to be January before there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wants it.

The St. Louis County Department of Public Health and Human Services has scheduled two H1N1 vaccination clinics in the Duluth area.  They will be held:

• Saturday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 230 East Skyline Parkway, Duluth
• Monday, Nov. 30 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Hermantown Public Safety Building, 5111 Maple Grove Road

In addition, SMDC Health System is offering the following clinics:

• SMDC Duluth: Nov. 25, 27, and Nov. 30-Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or as long as supplies last
• SMDC Superior: Monday, Nov. 30 from 5-8 p.m., or as long as supplies last

SMDC said it anticipates a large turnout at its flu booths, and encouraged people to monitor www.smdc.org for up-to-the-minute updates on wait times and vaccine availability.

For more information on H1N1 clinics in Minnesota, visit http://www.health.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/idepc/fluschedule/fluclinic_search.cgi.

For Wisconsin, visit http://www.wisconsinfluclinic.info/