Gualala, CA – Supplies of the H1N1 flu vaccine, on order for months, may finally be arriving at RCMS within the next couple of weeks.  Diane Agee, CEO for RCMS, reports that the clinic hopes to have a supply of the vaccine by the week of November 16.

As soon as we receive enough batches of H1N1 vaccine, we plan to provide school age children with vaccinations in their schools,” said Ms. Agee.  “We cannot be definite about dates yet - everything depends on when we receive the vaccine. But we are working with area school administrators to make all the necessary arrangements in the hope that the vaccine will be here within the next two weeks.” 

When all area children have been vaccinated, other priority groups, such as young adults, those caring for young children, pregnant women, and adults who have a higher risk of developing the flu, will have the opportunity to be vaccinated.  But, as Ms. Agee reiterated, the time frame for these vaccinations will depend on the quantity of vaccine received and local demand for vaccinations.  If there is enough vaccine available to establish H1N1 flu clinics for adults, RCMS will advice the community of dates and locations of the clinics just as quickly as possible.

Pregnant women who wish to have an H1N1 vaccination must contact RCMS to receive further information about the vaccine and to make arrangements to be vaccinated at an RCMS clinic.

All H1N1 flu vaccinations will be administered at no charge, but a donation of $15 per person is suggested. 

“RCMS receives flu vaccine for free, but the staff time it will take to administer the shots to local school children and residents is going to be a huge expense for our clinic this year,” said Ms. Agee.  “Any contribution that people are able to make to help offset this cost is appreciated.”