Dec 11, 2009 12:49 pm US/Central
H1N1 Vaccines Available At Local Walgreens Stores
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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The Walgreens on North Michigan Avenue at Chicago is one of 30-some Chicago Walgreens that are now offering the H1N1 vaccine to almost anyone who wants it.
CBS
Good news if you've been trying to get the H1N1 vaccine: the Chicago Department of Public Health has lifted the priority group restrictions, making it available to everyone. CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports that starting Friday morning, many Chicago Walgreens stores started administering the vaccine.
Pharmacists can administer the vaccine to those 9 and older, and they will be vaccinating children over age 2 at the Walgreens Take Care clinics.
For the many people who have been waiting and pleading to get the H1N1 vaccine, their day has finally come.
"I've been trying for months," said Chicago resident Terry Johnson.
The Walgreens on North Michigan Avenue at Chicago is one of 30-some Chicago Walgreens that are now offering both the shot and the nasal vaccine to almost anyone who wants it.
Johnson was first in line Friday morning to get vaccinated.
"My son has had H1N1 and it was a miserable experience for him," Johnson said. "I'm 65, and I don't want to take any chances."
Pharmacists who are licensed immunizers will be administering the vaccines for a cost of $18.
The vaccine will also be available at Walgreens locations, including North and Wells, Division and Dearborn, 75th and Western, 34th and King Drive and 86th and Cottage Grove.
"I'm just not gonna get it for sure, and I'm not scared," said Chicago resident Margaret Kozil. "I think if you're gonna wash your hands more often, and if you're gonna go outside more often, then you're not gonna get sick."
Despite some lingering skepticism from some people about the vaccine, Walgreens employees say they're expecting huge crowds Friday, and that's why they started passing out numbers to interested patients at 9 a.m.
How does it feel to be first in line to get it?
"I feel great. I'm going to tell my wife to come down," Johnson said.
The vaccine is expected to be offered at Walgreens in the suburbs within the next two weeks. In addition, you will now find several other places where the shot is becoming available.
The Cook County Health Department will be holding clinics at various malls to vaccinate holiday shoppers.
Click here for information on the walk-in clinics.
Click here to find the nearest Walgreens location offering the H1N1 vaccine or call 1-800-Walgreens.
As of Friday, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported nine new deaths and 216 new hospitalizations from H1N1.
The update brings the total number of Illinois deaths from the virus to 76 since April. Hospitalizations have topped 2,400.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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