City Schedules Mass H1N1 Vaccination

El Paso - - Mass vaccination for the Swine Flu is scheduled for Tuesday, November 24 at the convention center.

The vaccine will given out by appointment only to people identified to be at high risk for developing complications arising from the Swine Flu.

The target populations are pregnant women, people who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months, children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years, and those aged 25 through 64 who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for complications.

The vaccine will be offered free of charge. Due to the demand for the vaccine, the Department of Public Health is utilizing an appointment system to avoid having individuals wait in long lines to receive the vaccine. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

“We consulted with colleagues from around the country and feel that giving the vaccine by appointment will minimize lines and help us to serve those most in need of the vaccine in the most comfortable manner,” said Michael Hill, Department of Public Health Director.

If you are interested in receiving the vaccine, you are asked to be patient when calling the Department of Public Health to make an appointment. The wait on the telephone may take several minutes.

To make an appointment for the H1N1 Flu vaccine, call(915)771-5759. The call center will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The call center will be closed on Sunday. Call center operations will resume on Monday.

Once sufficient amounts of these high risk groups have had the opportunity to receive the vaccine, the Department of Public Health intends to make the vaccine available to the general public.