PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakotans looking for information about H1N1 vaccine opportunities can call a new state hotline, 1-866-320-2740. The line is available from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., central time, Monday through Friday.

“Vaccine is still limited in South Dakota but supplies are slowly increasing. Right now, most vaccinations are being given in doctors’ offices and clinics to high risk patients but by mid-November we hope to begin offering public clinics,” said Doneen Hollingsworth, Secretary of Health. “This hotline will give South Dakotans one more resource to find out about those vaccination opportunities.”

Hollingsworth said South Dakotans can also check the web at http://h1n1.sd.gov for information about H1N1 flu and vaccination. As clinics are scheduled they will be posted at that site.

In addition to vaccination, personal precautions should be taken to help stop the spread of influenza and other illnesses: 

• Wash hands often with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand gel. 
• Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve, not into your hands. 
• Stay home when you’re sick. – until 24 hours after symptoms are gone – without fever-reducing medicine.