Posted: Dec 2, 2009 2:43 PM
Updated: Dec 3, 2009 6:36 AM

Montana has received its largest shipment of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine to date according to the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Over 37,000 doses of vaccine arrived in Montana this week, bringing the total number of doses the state has received to over 194,000. 

These doses have been distributed to county and tribal health departments for disbursement to clinical, hospital and private providers. 

Those eligible for the vaccine include pregnant women, health care workers, children and students age six months to 24 years, caregivers of children six months and younger and adults 25 to 64 years of age with chronic health conditions that puts them at risk if infected with the flu.

 "I really want to urge people in the target groups who haven't done so to get the vaccine," DPHHS Director Anna Whiting Sorrell said in a news release. "I especially want to encourage parents to have their children vaccinated as H1N1 influenza has been a bigger threat to children and young adults than the adult population."

The department has established a statewide hotline that directs callers to their local health department for information about vaccination clinics.  A caller can dial the number, 1-877-701-8555, and reach a recorded message from a local health department regarding information about local vaccine availability. People can also learn about vaccination clinics being offered statewide by going to the DPHHS website at www.dphhs.mt.gov.