All in Sedgwick Co. urged to get H1N1 vaccine Thursday

Last Update: 12/02/2009 9:51 pm

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All in Sedgwick Co. urged to get H1N1 vaccine tomorrow

WICHITA, Kansas – With another wave of the H1N1 virus expected to hit soon, local health officials are urging as many people as possible to get vaccinated. And getting an H1N1 vaccine will become much easier starting Thursday as the Sedgwick County Health Department is opening its clinic to everyone.

Even though the number of cases has declined sharply in the last couple weeks, Doctor Robert Stangl with Via Christi – St. Francis is warning another wave of the H1N1 virus is likely right around the corner.

"I've talked to the infectious disease folks, basically what we're seeing right now is a little bit of a lull,” Dr. Stangl said. “We're expecting in the next two to three weeks to see more cases again of the H1N1."

Like many communities, Sedgwick County has been hit hard by the virus. It’s estimated that only 20 percent of the local population has been immunized against H1N1 so far. The goal is to get that number up to 50 percent.

"We still have a lot of people we need to vaccinate,” said Janice McCoy with the Sedgwick County Health Department. “There's a lot of people who are susceptible to becoming ill."

Like the long lines that formed several weeks ago when the clinic first opened, the health department is hoping for a similar scene on Thursday.

"We're staffing heavier than we have in the last couple of weeks,” McCoy said. “Generally, when we open up to a new target population we have longer lines."

Health officials say the clock is ticking when it comes to vaccinating for H1N1, because the seasonal flu is rapidly approaching and there could be a significant impact on the community if residents are battling both strains.

The clinic is open from 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It is located at 4095 E. Harry St., behind the Big Lots store at the Wichita Mall.

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