POINT PLEASANT — One of the most familiar questions that we receive at the health department is, “who is eligible to receive the H1N1 vaccine and who determines that?”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined a group of persons who are at the highest risk for the H1N1 influenza. Statistics have shown that these persons are more likely to develop more serious illness if they contract the H1N1 virus. These groups include the following persons:

• Pregnant women

• Household contact or caregiver of children under the age of 6 months

• Health Care workers including emergency medical service personnel

• Anyone age six months to 24 years of age

• Anyone between the ages of 25 and 64 who have one or more health conditions associated with higher risk of complications from influenza.

People may ask what health conditions are in the above group. A simple way to tell is that if you got the H1N1 flu, would it make your health condition worse? A few examples of some health conditions that do not fall into that group are hypertension, high cholesterol and thyroid problems. There are many more and that is why nurses will screen each individual at the clinic site. It is difficult to list all of them.

At this time, H1N1 vaccine clinics that are being held in Mason County will only give vaccine to those persons in the above groups, just as CDC has recommended. The health department does require that all pregnant women present with a prescription from their obstetrician to allow the H1N1 vaccine to be given. Many persons who are over the age of 65 are seeking the H1N1 vaccine at this time but they are not in the priority groups, unless they would be a health care worker or taking care of a child under the age of 6 months — which are two of the priority groups. Many people will present a prescription from their physician stating they are to receive the H1N1 vaccine. You will receive a screening from a nurse at the clinic site and if you do not meet one of the above groups, you will not receive the vaccine, regardless of your physicians order. This is not only in Mason County, but across the state and nation. Physicians have been informed of the priority groups and the reasons to follow these.

The CDC does plan to open the priority groups to everyone once the vaccine supply increases but that date is unknown. The health department urges those people over 65 to stay at home instead of waiting in long lines to be told they are not eligible.

Another question that we are often asked is what is the difference between the shot and nasal mist. Both types of vaccine are equally safe and effective and have been studied very closely. You can not get H1N1 flu from either. The shot is more familiar and any age group from six months and older can receive the shot. The side effects of the shot are similar to seasonal flu and include a sore arm, tenderness at the injection site, headache, slight fever and body aches over the next few days. The nasal mist is a live, weakened vaccine — just like the seasonal flu mist that we have been offering to children over the past several years. Side effects of the nasal mist include a runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, fever, body aches and occasional vomiting or diarrhea. It is only licensed for people ages 2-49 years old. Pregnant women and people with asthma, diabetes or other health conditions should not take the nasal mist. A nurse will screen you at the clinic site. Everyone who receives a vaccination will receive a vaccine information sheet that gives you all this information.

The third question we receive is how many doses of the H1N1 vaccine do I need to take? All children from six months through nine years of age will receive two doses, four weeks apart, regardless if they got the shot or nasal mist. Adults will receive only one dose of H1N1 vaccine. Persons need to be very attentive and make sure that they receive the correct vaccine, when in doubt, always ask the health care provider who is administering the vaccine as to the name of the vaccine you are receiving.

The health department will continue to advertise H1N1 clinic sites in the bulletin board of this newspaper, on our Web site, www.masoncountyhealthdepartment.org, on our answering service and on the American Lung Association Web site. You are always welcome to call the health department at 304-675-3050 if you have any questions.