Posted Tuesday, October 20, 2009 --- 9:42 p.m.

Information from Sauk County Public Health Dept.:

The Influenza A H1N1 2009 pandemic continues to affect Sauk County. The Sauk County Health Department has received federal funding to provide vaccinations or oversight of vaccinations to the approximately 60,000 residents in Sauk County in an effort to contain H1N1.

It has become apparent that a mass vaccination of this magnitude will exceed the resources of the Health Department. It is also apparent that the Sauk County Health Department may not be able to provide the same level of Public Health services during the H1N1 Vaccination clinics due to staffing shortages.

The Declaration of a Public Health emergency will allow the Sauk County Public Health Department to allocate their resources more effectively, protect staff and volunteers from liability, clarify the County’s priorities, coordinate with other jurisdictions and Community partners, and make additional funding opportunities possible. This declaration shall be effective for sixty (60) days.

Sauk County Public Health is in the process of activating their Public Mass Vaccination Clinic plan. Vaccinations will be made available to children at school with their parent’s consent during the month of November. The remainder of the population will be vaccinated in December following the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) vaccination criteria. These vaccinations will be provided free of charge. Clinics are scheduled on the following dates and times and available to all Sauk County residents.

Sauk County Community H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Schedule

Lake Delton - December 7, 2009 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
(Wilderness Resort & Convention Center)

Reedsburg - December 9, 2009 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
(Reedsburg High School – Call Center)

Sauk Prairie - December 11, 2009 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
(Prairie du Sac Fire Department)

Spring Green - December 14, 2009 2 :00 PM – 7 :00 PM
(Spring Green Fire Department)

Baraboo - December 16, 2009 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
(U.W. Baraboo Sauk County Campus)

Dates and times are subject to change depending on Vaccine availability.

Residents who have questions related to H1N1 are asked to call the Sauk County H1N1 hotline at 608-355-4481, call United Way 211, or visit the Sauk County Website at www.co.sauk.wi.us.