Memphis, TN. -  The Memphis and Shelby County Health Department has received 4000 doses of the injectable form of vaccine to help protect against H1N1 flu. This vaccine contains an inactivated killed virus that is administered using a needle, usually in the arm.

"This first shipment of vaccine is the only injectable vaccine licensed for administration to children younger than 48 months old," said Yvonne Madlock, Director of the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department.  "Because of this and because children are among those most susceptible to H1N1 and most likely to experience severe complications from H1N1 infection, it makes sense for us to limit the administration of this first shipment to young children less than four years old.  I am certain that our community will understand and support this initial prioritization.  Over time as there is vaccine available from other manufacturers and the supply of vaccine generally increases, the Health Department will expand the priority groups for vaccination."

Starting tomorrow, the Health Department will administer the vaccine at the following clinics:

• Collierville Clinic, 167 Washington. Clinic Hours: 8-11 a.m. & 12:30-3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays only. Phone: 854.6775.
• Galloway Clinic, 477 N. Manassas. Clinic Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Phone: 522.8268.
• Hickory Hill Clinic, 6590 Kirby Center Cove. Clinic Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday & on 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Phone: 365.1045.
• Immunization Clinic, 814 Jefferson. Clinic Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Phone: 901.544.7711.
• Millington Clinic, 8225 Highway 51. Clinic Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Phone: 873.4433.
• Raleigh Clinic, 3040 Covington Pike. Clinic Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Phone: 386.2060.
• Shelby Crossing Clinic, 6170 Macon Road. Clinic Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Phone: 372.7581.
• Southland Mall Clinic, 1278 Southland Mall, Shelby Drive/Highway 51. Clinic Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday & on 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2nd and 4th Mondays from 5-6:30 p.m. Phone: 346.0081.
• Department of Human Services, 3230 Jackson. Clinic Hours: 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays only. Phone: 320.7471.

As vaccine continues to become available, the Health Department will continue to provide information regarding vaccine availability and the types of vaccine available.

For more information about the H1N1 vaccine, call the Health Department's flu hotline at 901.379.H1N1 (4161). Information is also available at www.shelbycountytn.gov.