Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Pierre Vigilance, MD MPH, director of the DC Department of Health (DOH) announced locations where District residents can receive a free vaccination for the H1N1 influenza based on priority categories. The District will have a clinic in each ward, beginning next week, which will be open to all youth and pregnant women in the District. Fenty also received his seasonal flu shot to remind residents that two flu vaccines are needed this year to protect themselves from the flu.

Our youth and expectant mothers are some of the most susceptible to H1N1,” said Mayor Fenty. “We are proud to be able to provide this important service through community health centers, primary care providers and vaccine clinics to make sure we can help prevent the spread of this new virus.”

The school-based vaccine clinics will serve youth ranging in age from 6 months to 24 years old and pregnant women. The H1N1 vaccine will be offered in both the injection and nasal spray forms at no cost. Many community health clinics and primary care providers in the District have signed up to provide the vaccine to their patients. Parents and members of the priority groups are encouraged to call their providers to see if they have the vaccine.

The District should eventually have enough vaccine for everyone in the District who wants it,” said Vigilance. “Residents in priority groups are strongly encouraged to seek out the vaccine to help protect themselves and the rest of the community from H1N1.”

Over the coming weeks, the H1N1 vaccine will be distributed to pharmacies in drugstores and groceries that have agreed to carry the vaccine. To help residents find a location, DOH will launch the Flu Shot Finder at flu.dc.gov next week to allow residents to search for the nearest location to get the seasonal or H1N1 influenza vaccine. Once the priority groups have been vaccinated, DOH will have clinics for the general public to receive the H1N1 vaccine.

Vaccine Clinics for Youth and Pregnant Women
(Additional clinics, including those for other prioity groups, will be announced at a later date.)  

• H1N1 Vaccine Expected Availability*

DOH continues to monitor cases of influenza like illness (ILI) in the District and will keep residents updated on any new information regarding H1N1. For more information, residents can go to flu.dc.gov or call 311 to reach the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center.