H1N1 vaccine clinics continue

November 3, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- McHenry County begins giving swine flu vaccines on Tuesday while the city of Chicago continues its clinics.

The city of Chicago will again give out free H1N1 vaccine doses at six city colleges, including Wright College.

The vaccine is reportedly more effective than ever.

With more H1N1 vaccines anticipated to arrive every week, the city and suburbs are hoping to expand vaccine clinics. Because they make up a large number of the H1N1 flu deaths, children, young adults and pregnant women remain the priority.

"We were in the car going to the hospital and tears were running down my face and I said, 'wait a minute, god. Why did you take my wife? Why?'" said Sylvester Brinson IV, who lost his wife, Carrie, and their unborn child Friday to H1N1. She was five months pregnant when she came down with the flu.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, since last spring, at least 100 pregnant women have been hospitalized in intensive care. Twenty-eight of them have died. Brinson said his wife didn't receive the vaccine, which researchers say works well for pregnant women.

"The data show that nearly all the pregnant women who received a single 15 microgram dose had a robust immune response that is likely predictive of protection," said Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Inst. of Allergy & Infectious Disease.

While the CDC is still recommending one dose for pregnant women and adults, they say children 9 and under need to get two doses.

"That's real really important to consider. I know it is a hassle but you need the second dose to have your child adequately protected," said Dr. Tina Tan, Children's Memorial Hospital.

The Chicago Health Department is expecting 90,000 doses of the vaccine every week, so they hope the lines for vaccine should be getting shorter as the weeks go by.

Chicago's H1N1 vaccine clinics are at six city colleges from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m. To 2 p.m. on Saturdays. No appointments are necessary.

Kendall County has a walk-in clinic Tuesday, and tou do not need an appointment. It will be held at the health department office on West John Street in Yorkville from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

More information can be found at www.cookcountypublichealth.org or by calling 708-836-8600.

Kendall County clinics

A walk in Kendall County clinic just got underway at the health department office at 811 West John Street in Yorkville. It runs until 7pm on Tuesday. An appointment is not necessary. Schedule of vaccine clinics in Kendall County

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local, jason knowles

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