POMEROY — For those wishing to obtain vaccines for Type A (seasonal) influenza and/or the H1N1 virus, most health care providers are saying get them when and where you can.

Every fall the Meigs County Health Department (MCHD) hosts a flu shot clinic though this year it remains unclear if that will happen.

Sherry Wilcox, director of nursing for the MCHD, said at this time the department is at the “mercy of a private manufacturer” of the Type A vaccine. The MCHD has already placed an order with the manufacturer and is on a waiting list for delivery.

Wilcox said the MCHD did receive a small, limited amount of doses for Type A influenza vaccines from the Ohio Department of Health that are only (and strictly) available for those with an inability to pay.

As for when or if the delivery of those vaccines will arrive from the private manufacturer, Wilcox couldn’t say for sure; the same for when or if the MCHD will receive Type A influenza vaccines from ODH.

“If we do get it, it could be November or December,” Wilcox guessed.

Wilcox said the MCHD has been inundated with phone calls for residents wanting a flu shot. Those callers are being directed to their health care providers or other commercial outlets, such as local pharmacies which have received doses and are hosting flu shot clinics.

As for doses of H1N1 vaccine, Wilcox said local officials are holding their breath, waiting to find out just how many doses they will receive with no idea when the doses will arrive.

“We don’t have a clue,” Wilcox said as to how many doses the local health department will actually get compared to what they ordered from ODH.

When the H1N1 vaccine is received, Wilcox said at this point the health department is being told emergency medical personnel and health care workers will be vaccinated first, followed by pregnant women and those with high risk chronic conditions between the ages of two to 24.

Wilcox said ODH determines how much H1N1 vaccine Meigs County will receive based on its population. Friday’s Columbus Dispatch reported both Gallia and Meigs counties would receive enough doses to vaccinate one in every 182 to 193.9 people, based on 2008 census numbers and the Ohio Department of Health.

There is a seasonal flu shot clinic scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 23-24 at the Mason, W.Va., Wal-Mart. Swisher & Lohse Pharmacy in Pomeroy will also be offering seasonal flu shots for Swisher Reward’s members for a cost of $31. Those interested should call the pharmacy to get on a list with vaccinations starting this week. Call the Mason Wal-Mart or Swisher & Lohse for more details.