The state health department announced Wednesday that there is now enough H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine available for anyone who wants it.

Richmond County Health Director Tommy Jarrell said it received 1,000 H1N1 vaccines this week, which is enough to finish vaccinating students and others in high-risk categories, as well as providing several hundred for the general public.

Jarrell said while vaccinating students this week, his staff had also been calling to group homes and other businesses that care for individuals in the high-risk categories so that Saturday they can open up the vaccines to the general public.

The health department will hold its H1N1 clinic from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday. It will be open to anyone older than six months. There will be about 300 flu shots available and 75 nasal vaccine swabs for those who don’t want the injection.

Jarrell said they’re looking to have another clinic next week depending on how many doses of the vaccine they get in. He’s hoping to do it Friday, Dec. 18, from 2-6 p.m. to give people who will be out of town this weekend or working, a chance to get their flu shot.

The health department and Richmond County school nurses will also be providing H1N1 vaccine (shot only) next week in the following schools, to children whose parents have already completed and returned permission forms for their child to receive the vaccine at school: Monday, Dec. 14 at West Rockingham and Mineral Springs schools; Tuesday, Dec. 15 at Monroe Avenue and L.J. Bell schools; Wednesday, Dec. 16 at Fairview Heights; Thursday Dec. 17 at Rockingham Middle and Richmond Senior High schools.

Students at all other schools have already been offered the vaccine.

For more information, contact the health department at 997-8365.

staff writer Eren Tatargasi can be reached at (910)997-3111 ext. 19 or at etataragasi@yourdailyjournal.com.