By T.J. Aulds
The Daily News
Published November 13, 2009

The county’s health district received 2,400 more doses of the swine flu vaccine on Thursday and plans to distribute the shots starting Monday.

Two-thirds of the vaccine, however, will be set aside for children younger than 10 who already had gotten the first shot.

Health district spokesman Kurt Koopmann said children younger than 10 require two doses of the vaccine at intervals about four weeks apart.

So, the county will hold back 1,600 of the shots for those children.

The remaining 800 doses of the H1N1 vaccine will be offered while supplies last, but the health district is urging only those who fit within five high-risk categories. The vaccines will be offered at the health district’s headquarters starting at 9 a.m. on Monday.

Last month the county distributed more than 5,400 doses of the vaccine during a two-day period at Mall of the Mainland. Thus far, two people in the county, a 48-year-old man from Galveston and a 31-year-old Galveston woman, have died as a result of swine flu.

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At a glance

WHAT: H1N1 virus vaccines

WHEN: Starting 9 a.m. Monday and continue through Friday*

WHERE: Galveston County Health District, 1207 Oak St., in La Marque

WHO CAN GET SHOTS: 1,600 doses reserved for children under 10 who received a shot during vaccinations Oct. 30 and 31 at Mall of the Mainland in Texas City and those in the “high-risk” category.

High risk category residents: Pregnant women, caregivers of children younger than six months, health care and emergency medical personnel, anyone 6-months-old to 24-years-old and anyone with high-risk medical complications, including lung and heart disease or asthma.

* While supplies last, vaccinations are free

Source: Galveston County Health District
 

Kurt Koopmann

kkoopman@gchd.org