Steele County hosts open H1N1 vaccination clinics on Owatonna

OWATONNA — There is supply aplenty now for the H1N1 vaccine — and local reaction has been positive.

More than half of U.S. states said that they had enough doses to give the vaccine to everyone who wanted them. Steele County’s first open clinics were held Wednesday and Thursday.

The first was held Wednesday in Medford and the nurses were pleased with the turnout. The clinic brought in about 215 people. Many of them were elementary children, young families and senior citizens.

When Thursday’s clinic was held at St. John Lutheran Church in Owatonna, the turnout was similarly strong, with the parking lot filled and the church’s foyer crowded with people waiting for their chance to take the shot.

“It’s nice that since the restrictions were lifted, the entire family can be vaccinated,” said influenza vaccination coordinator Karen Fountaine.

And there is still plenty of interest. The Steele County Public Health Department has been receiving questions about when and where a person can get vaccinated. Both the intranasal and the injectable version were available at the clinics.

The Owatonna Clinic-Mayo Health System also offers the vaccines. A patient can get the shot during their appointment in the primary care areas, or they can schedule an appointment at the Shot Clinic. The number to call to schedule an appointment is (507) 451-1120.

“This is for everyone six months or older,” Fountaine said.

Earlier this week, 9,300 does of the H1N1 vaccine were recalled in Minnesota when some weakening was observed in the vaccine. Though the weakening did not make the vaccine harmful, it did not meet the state’s standard.

But with more than 1.4 million doses of the vaccine allotted to Minnesota, neither Steele County Public Health nor the Owatonna Clinic was affected by the recall.

“We have checked our stocks, and none of the problematic lots are the lots that we have been supplied with. In short, we do not have a problem,” said Jeff Bobrowitz of the Department of Pediatrics at the Owatonna Clinic.

And both locations report that they should have plenty of doses.

The Steele County Public Health Department announced Thursday that it is offering the H1N1 vaccination by appointment for the general public at the Steele County Public Health Department, 635 Florence Ave. in Owatonna. Appointments can be made for slots available 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 22 and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 29.

Children 6 months to 18 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Children 9 years old and younger are recommended to have two H1N1 vaccinations. The second vaccination must be at least four weeks after the first vaccination.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, call Steele County Public Health at 444-7650.

There is no charge for the vaccination.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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