People age 19 to 64 with underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk of flu-related complications may now receive the swine flu vaccine, Kings County health officials have announced.

Expansion of the H1N1 flu vaccine eligibility comes on the heels of mass flu shot clinics that led to the successful vaccination of more than 4,000 Kings County residents this past weekend. Those eligible are:

--All people with underlying medical conditions through age 64

--All children and young adults age 6 months to 24 months, regardless of their health status

--Health care workers

--Emergency medical services workers

There is no cost to receive the vaccine. Vaccines are available to eligible individuals on a walk-in basis at the department office in Hanford during normal business hours or at regularly scheduled county clinics elsewhere.

The health department has not scheduled any more mass flu shot clinics, but the vaccine will be available to eligible individuals on a walk-in basis at the department office in Hanford or at regularly scheduled county clinics elsewhere:

--The health department, 330 Campus Drive, Building 3 (For walk-ins during regular business hours Monday-Friday, 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.)

--In Avenal at 390 Skyline Blvd. on Dec. 2 (9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.), Dec. 16 (9-11:30 a.m. and 1-6 p.m.) and Dec. 21 (9-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m.)

--In Corcoran at 1002 Dairy Ave. on Dec. 7 (1-3:30 p.m.), Dec. 14 (1-6 p.m.) and Dec. 28 (1-3:30 p.m.)

--In Hanford at the health department, Building 5, on Dec. 10 (3-6:30 p.m.)

Mac Lean says there still may be a perception in the community that the vaccine is unnecessary and it is dangerous because it's untested. Mac Lean said the public has no reason to worry about the safety of the vaccine because there is no difference in the manufacturing process between a regular flu vaccine and the swine flu vaccine.

Mac Lean also stressed that the H1N1 vaccination is still important for young children and for medically fragile adults.

All people receiving the vaccine will be asked to fill out a screening and consent form, which is available at any of the public health clinics, county library or online at www.countyofkings.com/Health/pdf/h1n1-combination-consent-form.pdf.

Parents who are unable to bring their children could have a designee do it for them as long as they fill out the form, sign it and submit it to the health department.

County health officials also remind parents that children age 9 and under will require a second dose of the vaccine about a month after the first one.

Those who are not in the target population are encouraged to ask their health provider about the pneumonia vaccine. Pneumonia is a common complication of influenza. The vaccine for pneumonia is available at the health department for $53.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2429.

(Nov. 20, 2009)