Swine flu shots to be given in late October

More than 1,000 volunteers will be needed for giving more than 100,000 free swine flu vaccines to residents in five North Idaho counties, said Cynthia Taggart, spokeswoman for Panhandle Health District in Coeur d’Alene.

The date and location for a clinic in Boundary County has not yet been determined, Taggart said.

“Right now we’re looking at the end of October to be realistic,” she said. “We’re hoping we can give people at least a week or so notice.”

Vaccines will be distributed nationwide, and initially were expected to arrive in North Idaho in early October. Vaccines are expected to be administered on the same day at eight locations in the five northern counties, Taggart said.

Volunteers with medical and non-medical backgrounds are needed to join the health district’s medical reserve corps.

“We need people to stock and people to push wheelchairs,” Taggart said.

To apply, go to phd1.idaho.gov. Click on Medical Reserve Corps. to find application.

Vaccines will be free to students and at clinics. Vaccines will be provide at no charge to doctors, but doctors may charge to give the shots.

Anyone 10 and older will need one vaccine, Taggart said. Testing continues for those 9 and under, who may need two vaccines.