KXLF

Posted: Oct 7, 2009 7:46 AM
Updated: Dec 21, 2009 3:45 PM

RiverStone Health will offer the first H1N1 vaccinations Yellowstone County over the weekend.

The vaccination clinic for healthy children, ages 2 to 4, runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the West High School gymnasium.    

Health officials are reminding parents that a written parental or guardian consent is required for RiverStone Health staff to administer the vaccine to a child.

If someone other than a parent or guardian brings a child to the H1N1 flu vaccination clinic, they'll need to bring a signed letter of consent from the child's legal guardian.   

However, the child's immunization records and birth certificate are not necessary.

(from October 7, 2009)

The first shipments of the H1N1 vaccine are on the way to Billings, and Riverstone health officials say the first shipment is being sent this week includes 800 nasal mist vaccines.

Federal health officials say people can get the nasal spray this week, while shots will be available next week. The goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible to prevent widespread infection.

Riverstone health officials say that in Yellowstone County, they have changed their vaccination plans and will give the nasal vaccines to young children first, because they respond better to the mist.

Other priority groups, such as healthcare workers and pregnant women, will most likely given shots, but health officials they're not sure yet when they will receive more shipments.

"And because we don't know from week to week how many doses we're going to receive and what type of vaccine we're going to receive, we will be planning and making decision on a weekly basis," CEO and President Lil Anderson said.

Riverstone Health will host one free immunization clinic for healthy children ages two to four years old on Saturday, with the vaccine being provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. The clinic will run from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Billings West High School Gym.

Riverstone Health says children who get the immunizations will need a second dose of the vaccine in one month. The state Department of Public Health and Human Services says Montana will get 5,400 doses of the nasal spray vaccine this week.