Not to be lost amid all the news breaking elsewhere today in the Portland area, there’s a piece of information about something else that’s been newsworthy for quite some time — swine flu.
Multnomah County’s Health Department announced today that there will be a H1N1 vaccine clinic [PDF] this Saturday, Nov. 14 at Mt. Hood Community College, 26000 SE Stark Street in the Allied Health Building from 10 am to 2 pm.
The health department says it will place members of priority populations at the front of the line — including pregnant women, health care workers, people who care for infants younger than six months, children younger than 5, and adults younger than 64 who have chronic health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma and chronic lung disease.
Local health officials expect high demand this Saturday and that there likely won’t be enough supply to meet it. Vaccine will be given out on a first come, first served basis. Clinic attendees can access the college campus from the Kane Drive/29th Street entrance.
This and other upcoming vaccinations can be tracked at http://google.com/flushot
Based on the massive 4-hour line two weeks ago when I waited with my pregnant wife to get her a shot, I would strongly advise people who are not part of the “priority population” to not show up unless they are keeping someone who is part of that population company. If the county health workers don’t think you are prioritized, you probably don’t need the shot and are definitely not going to get one.
Hopefully they’re figured out ways to make the line move faster and make it easier for all those pregnant women to use the bathroom. Good luck, everyone!