The Lawrence County Health Department has received a small shipment of the H1N1 “swine” flu vaccine.

To meet the Ohio Department of Health and CDC guidelines, only the following groups of people are in the tier group to receive the vaccine first.

These groups are in no particular order – they are all in the first tier: pregnant women, parents and caregivers of new babies (babies under 6 months of age can’t get flu vaccine), health care workers, babies 6 months to adults 24 years of age and adults 25-64 who have underlying health problems (diabetes, asthma or other respiratory diseases, weakened immune system, diseases of kidneys, liver, heart, or blood, neurological or neuromuscular disease, etc.).

Those people meeting the requirements for the initial tier may come to the health department during one of the established clinic dates/times.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Even though it won’t guarantee getting the vaccine, it will shorten the wait time and make the process easier.

To pre-register, go to www.lawcohd.org, follow the link for pre-registration, set up a log-in, and follow instructions. When registration is finished, print the completed form, and bring it to the clinic.

There is no charge for the vaccine. At this time, the health department does not have thimerosol-free vaccine. For more information, call the health department at 532-3962.

H1N1 flu shot clinic dates/times at Lawrence County Health Department are as follows:

Monday, October 26 – 9 a.m.-11 a.m., 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Tuesday, October 27 – 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Thursday, October 29 – 9 a.m.-11 a.m., 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Friday, October 30 – 1 p.m.-3 p.m.