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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The next supply of H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive in Wapello County on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The Iowa Department of Public Health allocates the state's supply of H1N1 vaccine to each county based on population. The county public health agency then works to administer the vaccine to the public based on state guidelines. Supply is of the vaccine is very limited and is only being administered to individuals who are in the "high risk" group. Vaccines will be made available to a wider segment of the public as supplies allow.  Vaccines are expected to be widely available by mid-December 2009.

The next immunization clinic is tentatively planned for Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Wapello County Public Health Office, 108 E. Main Street, Ottumwa. The H1N1 vaccine is given free of charge. The only people authorized to receive the vaccine at this time are pregnant women, people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical personnel, anyone from 6 months through 24 years of age, anyone from 25 through 64 years of age with certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system.

Very limited amounts of the vaccine will also be made available to the River Hills Community Health Center and the Iowa Health Physicians at the Ottumwa Clinic.

Symptoms of H1N1 influenza are similar to seasonal flu and include a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people with H1N1 flu may also have diarrhea and nausea. Because H1N1 is spread by person-to-person contact, it is important for students who are ill to stay home from school until their cough significantly improves and they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

A statewide toll-free hotline has been established for public questions about seasonal and H1N1 influenza at 1-800-447-1985. The state of Missouri has also set up a toll free number for public questions. Missouri residents can call 877-358-4141 24 hours a day, seven days a week to have their questions answered.