ELYRIA — The Elyria Health Department received a large shipment of H1N1 flu vaccine and will be distributing thousands of free doses beginning today.

The vaccine will be distributed 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today in empty storefronts in the wing near Macy’s at Midway Mall, said Elyria Health Commissioner Kathryn Boylan.

The Health Department has 100 doses of pre-filled syringes for children 6 months to 35 months old, 1,940 doses of the nasal mist and 1,700 doses of the shot form. And while it has an abundance of H1N1 vaccine, what it doesn’t have is a lot of the seasonal flu vaccine — that will be available today until the limited supply runs out.

The emphasis, Boylan said, is on H1N1.

“We really want to get the kids, pregnant women and the caregivers of anyone 6 months and younger,” Boylan said.

As with all clinics, they are subject to change or cancellation due to the vaccine supply. The phone number for the Health Department is (440) 323-7595, and updates are available at the Web site www.elyriahealth.com.

The initial priority groups for H1N1 are pregnant women, people who live with or care for infants younger than
6 months, workers in health care and emergency services who provide direct patient care; young people up to 24 years old and people ages 25 to 64 with chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Examples of those with chronic illnesses needing the vaccine are those with chronic asthma, multiple sclerosis or muscular dystrophy, Boylan said.

“This particular virus is going way deep into the lungs,” she said.

The elderly are not among the target groups for the initial available vaccines because that population has been relatively free of H1NI, Boylan said.

The Health Department is not charging a fee for administering the H1N1 vaccine provided free from the federal government, Boylan said.

However, there is a $15 charge for the seasonal flu vaccine, which was purchased by the Health Department, Boylan said. Medicare and Medicaid will be accepted for the seasonal flu vaccine which should be in good supply by the time it hits this area, she said.

“Today there’s really no seasonal flu circulating,” Boylan said.

Since Oct. 15, the health department has held six H1N1 flu clinics: four open to the public, one for students at Lorain County Community College and one for people who work in emergency medical services.

Other flu clinics

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Elyria City Hall (the seasonal flu vaccine will not be available).
• 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Open Door School Cafeteria, 8287 West Ridge Road.
• 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at Second Baptist Church, 427 16th St.
• 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Elyria City Schools Administration Building, 42101 Griswold Road.

Contact Cindy Leise at 329-7245 or cleise@chroniclet.com.