The first H1N1 vaccine clinic in Pasadena, sponsored by the Pasadena Public Health Department, is scheduled Thursday, Nov. 12, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Victory Park Center, 2575 Paloma St.

The free vaccine will be provided to individuals in priority groups established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) who do not have health insurance or a regular source for health care.  High-risk priority groups are caregivers of infants under 6 months old; children, teens and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years; and adults 25 to 65 years old who have chronic medical conditions.

Although pregnant women are also a high priority group, the Pasadena Public Health Department has not received any doses of preservative-free adult H1N1 vaccine for use with pregnant women due to delays in manufacturing of the vaccine.

The H1N1 vaccine supply is very limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible individuals.  The current demand for H1N1 vaccine is outweighing local and national supply.  If the Nov. 12 clinic reaches capacity earlier than expected, it may need to close earlier than the posted hours.

People who have health insurance and are in an H1N1 priority group should first try to obtain vaccine from their usual sources for health care as vaccine becomes more widely available over the next several weeks.

People who are not in an H1N1 priority group are asked to wait to get vaccinated until supplies increase. To learn more about H1N1 and any upcoming clinics, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/H1N1 or call the Pasadena public health information line at (626) 744-6012.

"The vaccine is one of the best tools to prevent the spread of H1N1," said Dr. Takashi Wada, director of the Pasadena Public Health Department and the city’s public health officer.  "I urge all those in the vaccine priority groups, which are based on their risk for a severe case of H1N1, to join me in getting the vaccine.  Prevention starts with you."

Other effective methods of protection include simple, healthy habits such as washing hands, covering coughs and staying home from work or school when sick.  Influenza, including pandemic H1N1 flu, is a highly contagious illness that is rapidly spread from person to person through uncovered coughs and sneezes.  The virus may also be spread by touching an infected object or another person's hand with the flu virus on it and then touching one's mouth, nose or eyes.  People infected with flu can spread the virus to others.

For more than 115 years, the Pasadena Public Health Department has been committed to protecting and improving the health of the greater Pasadena community.  Through a variety of programs, clinics and community partnerships, the department oversees disease control, health promotion, environmental health, and maternal child health.  It is one of only three municipal public health departments in California.  For other information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth or call (626) 744-6000.

Media Contact:

Joy Guihama

Public Health Department

(626) 744-6050 

Statice Wilmore 

Public Health Department

(626) 744-6051

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