Panhandle Health District

                                                            8500 N. Atlas Road         Hayden, Idaho  83835

www.phd1.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      Date:     December 14, 2009                   

Contact:                                                                             Released by: Jeanne Bock, Director                     

Cynthia Taggart

Public Information Officer

(208) 415-5108

(208) 818-7288 (cell)

H1N1 Vaccine Available Now in Some Local Pharmacies

Hayden—H1N1 vaccinations are available free to all ages in the five northern counties now through several local pharmacies and through drop-in clinics offered by the Panhandle Health District (PHD).

              On Monday, Dec. 14, pharmacies in Safeway supermarkets in Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint and both Coeur d’Alene stores began offering H1N1 vaccinations to the public. Other in-store pharmacies offering the vaccination now are:

• Fred Meyer on Kathleen Avenue and U.S. Hwy. 95 in Coeur d’Alene;
• Walgreens on Appleway and U.S. Hwy. 95 in Coeur d’Alene; and
• Albertson’s on Prairie Avenue and U.S. Hwy. 95 in Hayden.

          The vaccine is free, but stores may charge up to a $19 administration fee. H1N1 vaccinations through PHD include no administration fee. PHD is offering drop-in clinics for people of all ages older than 6 months this week and next at:

• PHD Hayden, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15; Thursday, Dec. 17; Friday, Dec. 18; and Monday, Dec. 21.
• Lake City Senior Center, 1916 Lakewood Dr., Coeur d’Alene, 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Dec. 16.
• PHD Hayden, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16; and Tuesday, Dec. 22.
• PHD St. Maries, 137 N. 8th, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15; and Monday, Dec. 21.
• PHD Bonners Ferry, 7402 Caribou, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15.
• Bonner Mall, Sandpoint, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15; Wednesday, Dec. 16; Thursday, Dec. 17; and Friday, Dec. 18.
• Priest River Library, 219 Main St., Priest River, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 15; and Monday, Dec. 21.
• Coeur d’Alene Tribal Casino, noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16.
• Health and Education Bldg, 858 Commerce Dr., Smelterville, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 16; Thursday, Dec,. 17; and Tuesday, Dec. 22.
• Post Falls Library, 821 N. Spokane St., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18.
• Wallace Elks Lodge, Wallace, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 21.
• PHD Sandpoint, 1020 Michigan, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 22.
• Real Life Church, Post Falls, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 22.
• Coeur d’Alene Public Library, 702 E. Front, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 22.

           While the numbers of flu cases have dropped recently, H1N1 is expected to take the place of the seasonal flu this year. Seasonal flu typically starts in northern Idaho in December and hits hardest from January through March. People with a seasonal vaccination only will not be protected this year from the H1N1 virus.

           PHD’s drop-in clinics will continue through December and possibly longer, depending on demand. For updated clinic schedules, visit the PHD website at www.phd1.idaho.gov or call the toll-free H1N1 hotline at 866-528-3501.