Washtenaw County will start offering H1N1 vaccines by appointment this week

H1N1 flu vaccine will be available by appointment at the Washtenaw County health department this week.

Swine flu vaccines will be available by appointment at the Washtenaw County health department's Ypsilanti office starting Wednesday, it was announced today.

There are about 1,400 appointments for swine flu, or H1N1 flu vaccines, available over the next 4 business days - Wed., Dec. 16 through Fri., Dec. 18 and Mon., Dec. 21.

The vaccine is free, but individuals must make an appointment to receive one by calling the health department at 734-544-6700. The public health department's office is located at 555 Towner Street in Ypsilanti.

The H1N1 flu vaccine, became available to the general public for the first time last week after it was determined health care providers were receiving enough doses to get to their patients and that those in priority groups had enough opportunity to get vaccinated.

Those people in the priority groups, including caregivers of children younger than 6 months, young people ages 6 months through 24 years, those aged 25 through 64 with an underlying health issue, health care workers and pregnant women are still being encouraged to get the vaccine.

Those with children younger than 10 who have only received one dose of the vaccine and are at least 28 days out from their first shot can also make an appointment to receive a booster vaccine at the clinic.

Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.