The N.H. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has expanded the state's H1N1 vaccination program to include all residents except infants younger than six months. No vaccine has been approved for young babies.

N.H. Public Health Director Dr. Jose Montero says the state has 400,000 doses of vaccine available and will work to establish a network of free public clinics throughout the next few weeks.

"Health care doesn't take a holiday," says Montero. "Everyone will continue working throughout the holiday season."

Although the incidence of H1N1 has declined across the state, "We encourage people to get vaccinated now while we have time, Montero says. "It's still early in the flu season. We can't predict when the next wave (of H1N1) might come, or what might happen when it does."

No one will be charged for an H1N1 flu vaccination, including people without health insurance and those whose insurance requires deductibles or co-pays.

Montero strongly encouraged people in high-risk groups who haven't yet received an H1N1 vaccination to to get one. Those groups include:

• Pregnant women
• People living with or caring for infants younger than 6 months old (including partners of pregnant women)
• Anyone between the ages of 6 months and 24 years of age
• Healthcare workers with direct patient contact
• People 25 - 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions

Many schools continue to schedule clinics. College students can get vaccinated at campus clinics. Pregnant women, young children, and people with underlying health conditions can get their H1N1 flu shots from their doctors, but health officials are asking adults to visit public clinics being organized in each of the state's around the state.

Find a clinic dispensing H1N1 vaccine near youWrite your town and state in the box at the bottom of the Flu Vaccine Locator for an up-to-date listing of free public clinics near you.

For more information about the public clinics, call the state's toll-free help line: 211.

Seasonal flu vaccine: supply may not stretch to cover everyone who wants it

Unlike distribution of the H1N1 vaccine, controlled by the CDC, hospitals, clinics and other providers order supplies of seasonal vaccine directly from the manufacturers. This year, demand has outpaced supply.

"Supplies of seasonal flu vaccine will keep arriving throughout November into December," Montero says. People seeking a seasonal flu shot should "try to connect with your private provider" or a local site (pharmacy, malls, visiting nurse associations) that typically offers seasonal vaccinations.

Consumers should check state's list of seasonal vaccine providers. The statewide 211 help line will also offer information on availability of either seasonal or H1N1 vaccine, though information about supplies of H1N1 vaccine will not be available until late November.

Ultimately though, Montero says, "there may not be enough seasonal vaccine for everyone who wants to be vaccinated."

Call 211 with questions

The statewide, toll-free 2-1-1 New Hampshire help line is open to direct callers all the health and human services available to them.

Learn more

N.H. Department of Health and Human Services H5N1 information Links to N.H.-specific and other information resources.

Know what to do about the fluOfficial federal government pandemic influenza Information.

Differences between seasonal flu and pandemic flu Learn the important differences between pandemic influenza and seasonal" flu .

Simple things you can do to protect yourself and your family Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's basic guidance on preventing both season and pandemic influenza.

Official guidance for individuals and families Information and planning checklists useful for pandemic planning from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Stockpiling essentials for a pandemic Planning for an extended stay at home, in case of essential-services disruptions, when store supplies might become short, or during periods of voluntary "social distancing" as a flu-prevention strategy.

What to do if you get flu symptoms Learn how to take care of yourself if you come down with the flu.

Special guidance for pregnant women Because pregnant women are more susceptible to regular flu than others, officials urge them to take special precautions to prevent contracting the new H1N1 flu. Experts don't know if pregnant women will have serious problems with H1N1 or how the new virus might affect the baby.

H1N1 guidance for specific groups CDC guidance for vulnerable or at-risk populations, teachers, caregivers, clinicians and others.

Talk to your children about the flu The barrage of media attention on the new H1N1 flu is bound to increase as flu season approaches. Children may receive misinformation, and peers can magnify their fears. They need special reassurance from adults.

Caring for a sick person in your home Familiarize yourself with this information before you need it.

Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy The Pandemic Influenza pages of this University of Minnesota center help you stay current on the latest science-based news and information about pandemic influenza.

Personal Pandemic Preparedness Resource List Excellent list of science-based sources of flu preparedness information.

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