Health departments get ready for swine flu vaccination clinics

Area health departments will hold more swine flu vaccination clinics next week for people considered in greatest need of protection from the H1N1 virus.

Here are the times and locations:

•2-7 p.m. Monday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Kansas City Health Department headquarters, 2400 Troost Ave.

•9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday at 515 S. Liberty St. in Independence. The Independence Health Department has additional clinics scheduled for 4-7 p.m. Dec. 2 at Osage Trail Middle School, 4-7 p.m. Dec. 3 at Pioneer Ridge School, and 3-6 p.m. Dec. 10 at Nativity of Mary School.

•1-6 p.m. Tuesday at 11875 S. Sunset Drive in Olathe for the Johnson County Health Department.

Vaccines at all the clinics are free, but supplies are limited.

People in the following groups are eligible:

•Pregnant women.

•Children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years (ages 2 to 24 years at Independence clinics).

•Health care workers.

•Caregivers of children younger than 6 months.

•Adults 25 to 64 who have significant chronic health conditions.