Public Information Office 2300 Bloomdale Rd. Suite 4192 McKinney, Texas 75071 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 25, 2010

HEALTH ADVISORY: Local Food Pantries in Collin County to Benefit from Influenza Vaccinations

(McKINNEY, Texas) – Collin County Health Care Services are offering free influenza vaccinations to children in exchange for donations of canned and non-perishable food items in recognition of the National Influenza Vaccination campaign. Vaccines will be available while supplies last.

• Seasonal influenza vaccine for children 6 months through 18 years of age will be provided for a suggested donation of two food items per vaccination. Two doses of seasonal flu vaccine, one month apart, are needed for children 6 months through 9 years of age if this is the first time the child is receiving flu vaccination.
• H1N1 vaccinations for children 6 months through 18 years of age will also be offered for a two food item voluntary donation. The vaccine is available in two forms, as a flu shot and as nasal-spray. All children under the age of 10 should receive the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended two doses of H1N1 vaccine approximately 28 days apart.
• Children may receive both the seasonal influenza and H1N1 vaccines in the same visit.

The CDC recommends every child receive the seasonal flu vaccine and H1N1 vaccine. All children who are in healthy condition and have no underlying medical conditions can receive the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine.

All donations of canned and non-perishable food items will be delivered to local food pantries serving people who live in Collin County.

Vaccinations will be provided at the Collin County Health Care Services clinic located at 825 N. McDonald Street in McKinney. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, visit the Collin County website at http://www.co.collin.tx.us/ or call Collin County Health Care Services at 972-548-5500.

###