Freeborn County Public Health will have an H1N1 flu clinic next week for the full list of priority groups identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Until now, vaccination efforts in the state have been focusing on a limited number of people who faced the highest risk from H1N1 influenza.

The groups now able to obtain the vaccine include the following:

People age 6 months through 24 years, with or without a health condition that puts them at higher risk of medical complications from influenza

 People age 25 years through 64 years with a chronic medical condition that puts them at higher risk of medical complications from influenza

Pregnant women

Health care providers or emergency medical services personnel

People living with or caring for children under 6 months of age.

Freeborn County Public Health Director Lois Ahern said a person with a chronic medical condition includes someone who has a chronic heart condition such as congestive heart failure, a chronic lung condition, a metabolic disorder such as diabetes, or someone with a suppressed immune system, to name a few.

According to a Minnesota Department of Health news release, the priority groups include an estimated 2.7 million people in the state.

Though the priority groups still leave out a large group of people, including health adults ages 25-64 and people 65 or older, Ahern asked that people be patient.

“There will be enough vaccine available for everyone who wants it,” she said. “But it will probably be early January before we have enough H1N1 vaccine to open it up to everyone. The philosophy has always been to get it to the highest priority first.”

The public health clinic this week will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Crossroads Evangelical Free Church, 3402 Hoeger Lane, Albert Lea. There is no charge to receive the vaccine and children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Sanne Magnan said the next few weeks are an opportune time to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus. While overall influenza activity is declining in the state, there is still plenty of disease out there, she noted.

Though officials expect the current assessment of flu activity in the state to be downgraded shortly, some areas of Minnesota and the rest of the country will continue to have higher levels than others.

Magnan also emphasized that going off of past pandemics, a third wave of the illness could occur later this winter, possibly in January or February.

This will be around the same time there is the seasonal flu, Ahern said.

“Getting vaccinated in the next weeks and months is the best way to tamp down a possible third wave,” Magnan said.

Ahern pointed out that it is not too late to get vaccinated for the seasonal flu either.

She said the seasonal influenza usually starts mid- to end December and peaks in January. She encouraged people to get both vaccinations.

“Both of these illnesses are separate and distinct,” Ahern said.

Seasonal flu clinics are scheduled for the following dates:

Dec. 2, First Baptist Church of Clarks Grove, 2:30 to 4 p.m.

 Dec. 4, Shady Oaks, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Dec. 4, Senior Towers, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

 Dec. 7, Hartland Community Center, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

 Dec. 7, Alden Community Center, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

 Dec. 8, Trailside Apartments, 2 to 3 p.m.

 Dec. 9, Hayward Community Center, 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Cost is $25 cash. People with Medicare cards, Medicare Advantage Plan cards or Medical Assistance cards are encouraged to bring them. The clinics are for 18 and older.

Between the H1N1 vaccinations and the seasonal flu vaccinations, Ahern said it has been a busy fall for the local public health department.

Even with all of the planning over the years for pandemics and clinics, there has still had to be a lot of extra planning.

There has also had to be a lot of extra nurse time and the department has had to cancel a lot of things that weren’t essential to do.

“I don’t think any of us expected in our life to be in the middle of a pandemic,” Ahern said. “I hoping we can respond in a way to say we responded well.”

Public Health will have additional H1N1 clinics in December.

For questions, contact Freeborn County Public Health at 377-5100.