On Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Sioux Falls Health Department, Minnehaha and McCook County Emergency Management, in partnership with Avera McKennan and Sanford Health will open an H1N1 vaccination event at the Expo Building at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds. 3,140 doses of H1N1 vaccine are available.

This event is open to residents of the City of Sioux Falls, and Minnehaha and McCook Counties who are part of the targeted first tier populations as identified by the Centers for Disease Control.

This includes:

• Pregnant Women
• Children age 6 months to 4 years
• Persons who live with or provide care for infants 6 months of age and younger
• Children age 5 -18 years at high risk for influenza related complications (as defined by the CDC)

The State Department of Health is continuing to distribute H1N1 vaccine throughout the state. This vaccine is being sent to clinics and healthcare facilities as well as to targeted public events. To receive an H1N1 vaccination, individuals must fill out a medical consent form. The forms are available on both the City of Sioux Falls and Minnehaha County’s websites. www.siouxfallsflu.org; www.minnehahacounty.org 

Additional vaccination events will be held as vaccine becomes available.

If you have any questions, please contact Minnehaha County Emergency Management Director Lynn DeYoung at (605) 360-2240.