OTTUMWA — Wapello County Public Health will hold a special H1N1 influenza immunization clinic for pregnant women next week. Expectant women who get any type of flu have an increased chance for serious health problems and are considered one of the priority groups for receiving the H1N1 vaccine.   

The clinic for expectant mothers will be held from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday at the Wapello County Public Health Office, 108 E. Main St.   

If you are pregnant and have flu symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor to begin treatment as soon as possible. Treatment works best when started within 48 hours after flu-like symptoms begin.  Symptoms of H1N1 influenza a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people with H1N1 flu may also have diarrhea and vomit.

Medical professionals who are seeing expectant mothers are asked to give the women referral papers for the H1N1 vaccination.  

The Iowa Department of Public Health is responsible for distributing the supply of H1N1 vaccine to each county in Iowa based on population.   Each county public health agency then sees that the vaccine is made available to the public based on state guidelines. At this time, the H1N1 supply is limited to individuals who are in the “high risk” priority group. Vaccines will be made available to a wider segment of the public later in the season as supplies allow.

A statewide toll-free hotline has been established for public questions about seasonal and H1N1 influenza at (800) 447-1985. More information can also be found at www.idph.state.ia.us.