POINT PLEASANT — Last week it was announced that the H1N1 vaccine is now available to the general public.

And the Mason County Health Department plans to offer the vaccine at the health department on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each week, with the exception of Dec. 24 and 31.

The health department’s last site clinic is scheduled from 1-6 p.m. today at the former Central School gymnasium in Point Pleasant. Diana Riddle, administrative and nursing director of the Mason County Health Department, encouraged residents to obtain their vaccines before Christmas and the start of the new year.

Riddle emphasized that the H1N1 vaccines are free, and encouraged all age groups to get vaccinated. Although the H1N1 flu illness has declined, Riddle said that unlike seasonal influenza, pandemic inlfuenzas, like H1N1, can reoccur within the year. The vaccine is available in both injectable and nasal mist form, and it takes approximately eight to 10 days for the H1N1 vaccine to provide immunity against the virus. Adults only need one dose of the vaccine, while children ages nine and under must have a second dose four weeks following their first vaccination.

According to the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, cumulatively, there have been 872 hospitalizations and 19 deaths in West Virginia attributed to H1N1 since September.

“Flu is unpredictable. We certainly could see cases of H1N1 rise again as we gather over holidays and move into traditional flu season. Give yourself and others a holiday gift by staying healthy. Seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine can protect both you and those you care about,” Dr. Cathy Slemp, state health officer and physician in charge of leading the state’s fight against H1N1, said in a news release.

According to the DHHR, to date, 431,800 doses of the H1N1 vaccine have been distributed across West Virginia. In addition, this year more West Virginians than ever before have received the seasonal flu vaccine. Some seasonal flu vaccine supplies are available, but are harder to come by in many locales because of the high number of people who got the shot earlier this fall. Individuals ages 65 and up are especially encouraged to get the seasonal flu vaccine if they have not yet been vaccinated.

The five target groups for the H1N1 vaccine are those between the ages of six months and 24 years-old, healthcare employees, those who care for children under six months of age and those between ages 25 and 64 with underlying health issues.

For more information on H1N1, go to the Web site, www.wvflu.org or call the health department at 304-675-3050.