The Fairfax County Health Department will open a mass vaccination clinic on Saturday, October 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax. Since Falls Church City contracts with the Fairfax County Health Department for Health Services, F.C. City residents (children) are eligible to participate in the county’s H1N1 vaccination clinics.

Due to delays in the production of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, the Fairfax County Health Department has developed a mass vaccination plan that matches the limited supply of vaccine currently available, which is significantly less than anticipated. The health department currently does not have enough vaccine available to hold the vaccination clinics that were scheduled to be held in 10 Fairfax County Public Schools on October 24 and 25.

Instead, approximately 10,000 doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine will be available on October 24. Based on the quantity of vaccine available, and in an effort to vaccinate those at high risk of influenza-related complications, the clinic will be open to all children 6 months to 36 months of age and pregnant women. Children in this age range and pregnant women are among the target groups identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. The vaccine is voluntary and will be offered on a walk-in basis, free of charge. Seasonal flu vaccine will not be available at these clinics.

A child’s parent or legal guardian must sign a consent form before the child can be vaccinated. An adult 18 years or older must accompany children under the age of 18 to the vaccination site. Consent forms are available online and in the Health Department’s five district offices and three Community Health Care Network sites. Parents are encouraged to print the form and fill it out before visiting the vaccination site on October 24, if possible. Consent forms will be available at the vaccination site.