Montgomery County Announces H1N1 Vaccine Availability at Two Clinics

Montgomery County has announced H1N1 vaccine availability at two clinics including one scheduled at Montgomery College's Rockville Campus on November 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (see below for copy of announcement). Important information regarding Rockville Campus operations on November 22:

• Expect traffic volume and parking availability to equal or exceed peak times on Monday-Friday class days.
• Heavy pedestrian and vehicular traffic expected on North Campus Drive.
• Physical Education Center (PE) will be closed to all non-clinic activities.
• Library and academic labs will operate on a normal Sunday schedule.
• No changes to the event scheduled at the Performing Arts Center.
• Parking lots 11 and 12 (near CB, PA, and SB will be reserved for students, staff, and faculty using College facilities and for PA patrons)
• Montgomery County Police will provide security and traffic control.

Announcement posted at http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/h1n1flu. H1N1 Vaccine Availability: Wednesday, November 18

• 9 a.m. to noon (by appointment only)
• Call for appointments on Monday, November 16 from 3 to 4 p.m. at 240-777-4040
  • Vaccine will be offered only to young children ages 6 months to 35 months
  • Nasal spray and injectable vaccine available
  • 300 doses available.

Sunday, November 22

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Montgomery College, Rockville Campus
• Physical Education Building (visit http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/maps for directions)
• Vaccine will be offered to target groups only:
  • Children 6 months to 24 years
  • Pregnant women
  • Parents/caregivers of children less than 6 months of age
  • Adults 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease
  • Health care workers and emergency medical service workers
• Vaccine is available on a walk in basis to the first 5000 individuals listed above

What to Expect at the Clinics:

• You will receive a numbered ticket when you arrive (unless it is an appointment - only clinic).
• You should expect to wait for vaccination. It is difficult to estimate the length of waiting time. You may want to bring a portable chair, water and snacks.
• We cannot guarantee that you will get your preferred choice of vaccine (nasal spray or shot) when you reach the vaccination station. Amounts of each vaccine vary and there are limited quantities available.
• You will receive a Vaccine Information Statement (http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf) and a Consent Form (English | Spanish) while you are waiting.
• You will be screened by a health professional for vaccine eligibility.
• You will receive the vaccine.
• You will have the option to wait for 15 minutes for monitoring.

Information for Parents

• Please keep children with you at all times.
• We will work hard to keep the line moving but we cannot tell you how long your wait will be.
• Come prepared to wait.
• Bring snacks, drinks, toys and books to keep your children occupied.

Clinics originally scheduled for November 4, 11 and 18 at Northwood, Rockville and Northwest High Schools are CANCELLED. Health officials recommend that everyone consider receiving an H1N1 vaccination when supplies are available. Clinics for Montgomery County residents NOT in the target groups will be held at a later date. Dates and locations for clinics will be posted as soon as information is available. In addition to local health departments, retail locations and some private physicians will be receiving the H1N1 vaccine, as well. Montgomery County's flu hotline -- 240-777-4200 -- is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.