Swine Flu Vaccine for Everyone

For the past few months, getting a swine flu shot has been challenging if you didn’t meet certain criteria.

But now the Marquette County Health Department is opening up the vaccine to all residents.

Anyone in Marquette County who wants the swine flu shot and hasn’t already had it can book a reservation for a pair of upcoming clinics.

Until now, the vaccine has only been given to targeted populations.

But now that 9,000 people in Marquette County within those groups have been vaccinated, anyone who wants a dose can make an appointment for one.

In the past, Health Department health officer Fred Benzie says they received between 500 and 1,000 doses at a time.

But now they’re getting about 1,500.

Benzie says the swine flu hasn’t peaked yet and it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

If you want to get a swine flu shot at one of the clinics, the Health Department is asking you to call the county’s flu hotline at 475-1175 for an appointment.

The upcoming clinics are the 16th — a week from tomorrow — at NMU’s Superior Dome from noon to 7, and on the 22nd at St. Joseph’s Church in Ishpeming from 2 to 6.