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Swine flu shots available for anyone

Anyone in Wisconsin can now get vaccinated against swine flu.

State health officials said Monday that public health departments and private health care providers have been told they can vaccinate members of the general public, not just those in targeted groups.

The Rock County Health Department will give H1N1 shots by appointment to anyone during clinics starting on Thursday at its Janesville and Beloit offices.

Health Officer Karen Cain said the department has plenty of vaccine available.

State Health Officer Dr. Seth Foldy says with 1.5 million doses of the vaccine in the state, it is now OK to broaden vaccinations. However, he says the top priority remains pregnant women, everyone under age 24 and those with underlying health conditions.

The state says it will begin distributing the vaccine to pharmacies, significantly increasing the number of sites where it’s available. Some pharmacies, however, won’t be able to serve children, officials said.

Forty-three Wisconsin residents have died from swine flu since the spring.

Rock County Health Department Clinics

Swine flu vaccine clinics will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22 and Wednesday, Dec. 23, at the north office, 3328 N. Highway 51, Janesville, and south office, 61 Eclipse Center, Beloit.

Individuals must call for an appointment: (608) 757-5440 in Janesville or (608) 364-2010 in Beloit.

Clinics targeted for school children will continue this week as planned from 3:30 to 6 p.m. today at Beloit Memorial High School and from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Clinton Town Hall and Milton High School.

The weather caused school clinics to be canceled last week in Edgerton, Orfordville and Evansville. Instead of rescheduling, residents in those communities can attend clinics in other communities or visit the health department’s regular immunization clinics, which will include H1N1 shots, in their community. Edgerton’s clinic will be from 3 to 6 p.m. today at the Edgerton Public Library, Orfordville’s is Jan. 19, and Evansville’s is Feb. 3.

Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services Clinics

Walworth County officials are planning a Dec. 22 clinic for the general public and weekly clinics for those up to 18 years of age, Health Officer Pat Grove said.

The weekly clinics offer routine immunization opportunities to children. Grove said officials also will offer a second dose of H1N1 vaccine, which is recommended for children 10 and younger.

January dates for vaccination clinics have not been confirmed but likely will be the second and third weeks of the month, Grove said.

The next H1N1 vaccination clinic in Walworth County will be 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 22, at the Health and Human Services Building, W4051 County Road NN, Elkhorn.