PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Health Department did receive a small quantity of injectable and Flumist H1N1 vaccine last week.
More vaccines are expected to be delivered each week for the foreseeable future.
The MCHD is distributing the vaccine to local medical providers as soon as it becomes available. The providers will distribute them to their patients that are in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's target groups, who are more susceptible to complications from H1N1.

The target groups are:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children newborn to six months old
• All people six months to 24 years old.
• Healthcare workers and emergency medical services personnel.
• People 25-64 with  health conditions that make them have a higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
In addition, some Flumist has been distributed to pharmacies and may require a physician's prescription. Flumist is for healthy people ages two through 49 that have not had a recent live virus vaccine.
The MCHD is planing to set up public clinics, initially for children, as regular shipments increase. Children are catching and transmitting the H1N1 virus more than other age groups and protecting them will help reduce everyone's exposure to H1N1.
The MCHD expects to have enough H1N1 vaccine in the coming months for everyone that wants a vaccine. Clinics for the general public will be announced through the local media.
There are things that all members of the community can do to limit exposure and spread of any influenza. They include:
• Covering coughs and sneezes with an arm or hand
• Using proper hand washing techniques—20 seconds using soap and water.
• Staying home if you are sick
For more information contact the Marshall County Health Department at 574-935-8565. For general information call 211 or the state hotline between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1-877-826-0011 or TTY 1-888-561-0044.