By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-871217.mp3
Dallas, TX –
Dallas County will start offering free swine flu shots to any qualified person this Saturday, and it won't matter if you have insurance. But you will need an appointment. KERA's Bill Zeeble reports
Dallas County's Health and Human Services Director, Zachary Thompson, says the county just received 19 thousand H1N1 doses. He says they're only for those who meet CDC high-risk standards, and will now include those who have insurance.
Zachary Thompson: We've received numerous calls and emails regarding the inability for individuals to find the vaccine who are in the priority group. So on Saturday, calling in the hot line, this will present that opportunity
The shots will be offered Saturday at Antioch Missionary Baptist on South Hampton, but only by appointment. Thompson says walk-ups will be turned away. He says there will be another clinic in 2 weeks at the St. Baranabas Church in Richardson. Dallas County's Medical Director John Carlo says while Texas H1N1 flu frequency has dropped a little, there remains a serious risk of illness, and for the flu's re-emergence.
Doctor J. Carlo: We're going to use this lull in the disease incidence as really an opportunity to get the H1N1 vaccines out to those who'll benefit the most.
Dallas County says local pharmacies will also receive H1N1 vaccine this week, and Dallas officials will offer details Tuesday.
The Dallas County hotline is 214-819-6001
For more H1N1 resources go to the health section of our economy blog at kera.org/economy