3 H1N1 clinics on tap for Kent County

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Kent County Health Department officials say 300,000 residents are at risk when it comes to catching the H1N1 flu.

They told 24 Hour News 8 Tuesday morning that they have received 30,900 doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine, which is being used to vaccinate health care providers and at-risk patients.

They expect another 21,800 vaccines to arrive this week, with 14,000 to 15,000 set aside for three upcoming clinics.

The department talked about the latest information during a news conference Tuesday morning. Click below to listen

The upcoming clinics are scheduled for:

• Nov. 7, 14 and 21
• 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• 700 Fuller Ave. NE in Grand Rapids
• 1 21 Franklin St. SE Suite 130 in Grand Rapids

The vaccines are available to those on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention priority list:

• 6 months to 24 years old
• Caretakers of babies under than 6 months
• Pregnant women
• 25 to 64 years old with medical risks

Vaccines are by appointment only by calling the United Way's 2-1-1 hotline or (616) 459-2255.

For more information, you can call (616) 742-4FLU (4358) or go to stickittotheflu.com

Seventeen people have died from H1N1 in the past two months, and nearly 400 have been hospitalized, according to Michigan representatives.

Most of those who died from H1N1 complications had underlying health problems. They ranged in age from 27 to 72.

The state said Monday about 60,000 residents reported having H1N1-like illnesses last week.

Michigan so far has been allocated nearly 1 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine, but health officials ultimately want to be able to vaccinate 5 million people. There is a shortage of vaccine.

24 Hour News 8's Ken Kolker and Henry Erb contributed to this report.