Polk County Tightens Rules for Swine Flu Vaccine

Tools

By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Oct 23, 2009 at 9:18 AM CST

Story Updated: Oct 23, 2009 at 9:20 AM CST

DES MOINES (AP) - Polk County health officials have tightened the eligibility rules for the swine flu vaccine.

So far, the department has given about 8,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccination, with relatively broad rules that allowed, for instance, anyone 6 months to 24 years old to get it.

Because of manufacturing delays, officials say the vaccine will only be given to those in higher-priority groups at its next clinic this Sunday in Des Moines.

Healthy children older than 4 will not be eligible.

Experts say babies, pregnant women and children with chronic health problems, such as asthma, are the most vulnerable.

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.