Supplies of the H1N1 vaccine continue to be limited, and inoculations are being reserved initially for those in high-risk categories.

Beginning Wednesday, Dallas County is offering free H1N1 vaccinations for Dallas county residents who don’t have medical insurance or a medical provider AND fall into the designated high-risk groups.

The vaccinations will be made available at the Dallas County Health and Human Services clinic, 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas (map), from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Vaccinations will continue Thursday and Friday if supplies are available.

Here’s the list of who is eligible:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• Persons between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
• People ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for severe H1N1 infections because of chronic health disorder

If you plan to go, dress warm and be prepared to wait. Some news reports estimate as many as 5,000 people may show up on Wednesday.

The H1N1 vaccine has also been distributed to Dallas County medical providers, and residents who are in the high-risk groups and have insurance are encouraged to contact their medical provider first to check availability. 

If you suspect you may have the flu and cannot reach your medical provider, dial 2-1-1 for the 2-1-1 Texas referral network. 2-1-1 has medical professionals available to answer questions and offer advice about the seasonal flu and H1N1 virus. Learn more at TexasFlu.org.

Learn more about H1N1 resources on the Health page of KERA’s Economy Web site.