Posted on Mon, Nov. 9, 2009
More than two dozen swine flu vaccine clinics are slated to open today around Philadelphia
Residents who are members of all vaccine priority groups can walk in without an appointment during scheduled hours for a free shot.
Hours and locations for the city clinics - as well as others in suburban counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey - are posted at http://go.philly.com/flu/
The priority groups are: pregnant women; everyone age 6 months to 24 years; household contacts or caretakers of infants under 6 months; people ages 25 to 65 with significant medical conditions such asthma, cancer or diabetes; and healthcare or EMS workers with direct patient contact.
Officials who run public vaccine clinics throughout the region say they are enforcing priority group restrictions - many clinics are for specific subgroups - and may require records or a doctor's note to confirm eligibility.
Check online or call ahead to the county health department - and plan to arrive early, as some have experienced lines.
Coming up:
Gloucester County will run a free swine flu vaccine clinic for residents this Friday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the county's Governmental Services Complex in Clayton.
Eligible: county residents ages 5 to 40 with underlying medical conditions; pregnant women; and people who care for or live with infants 6 months or younger.
Camden County's next free swine flu clinic will be next Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Collingswood Grand Ballroom.
It is restricted to two groups: all children ages 6 months to 5 years; and those ages 6 through 18 with other medical conditions.
Burlington County has scheduled two clinics for residents at its health department offices in Westampton:
This Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. will be limited to healthcare workers with direct patient contact; all people ages 18 to 24; and those ages 24 to 65 with underlying medical conditions.
The following Friday, Nov. 20, from 2 to 6 p.m. will be for several groups: school-age children who missed their school clinic or attend a school that is not holding one (under age 10 will be scheduled to return for a second dose on Dec. 18); all children ages 6 months to 5 years (they will be scheduled to get a second shot on Dec. 4); pregnant women; caregivers of children 6 months of age or younger; and the groups from the previous Friday.
Delaware County residents who are members of any priority group and cannot get vaccine elsewhere may be able to receive it at the state health center in Chester.
Bucks, Montgomery and Chester Counties have no clinics scheduled, although that could change depending on vaccine supplies.
Chester County has maintained waiting lists for unpublicized clinics in the past.
Contact staff writer Don Sapatkin at 215-854-2617 or dsapatkin@phillynews.com.
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