The H1N1 flu vaccine will be in this area beginning today (Wednesday), according to officials at the Alabama Department of Public Health.

Some 200 doses will arrive in Marengo County, as well as at the county health departments in Choctaw, Hale and Sumter counties. Greene County and Perry County will each receive 100 doses of the vaccine.

In Marengo County, vaccines will be available at the following locations:

The Alabama Dept. of Public Health, 303 Industrial Dr. North in Linden; H1N1 vaccination shot; a clinic will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m..

Demopolis Pediatrics, Dr. Brenda McGivern. People are asked to call 289-5770 to make an appointment for children age 6 months to 18 years; H1N1 vaccination shot.

The office of Drs. Ketcham and Dismukes (no appointment necessary); H1N1 vaccination mist.

Only 55,000 doses of the vaccine are being provided statewide. It will be offered only to pregnant women; children 6 months to 4 years old; parents, siblings and caregivers of children less than 6 months old; children 5 to 18 years old who have underlying medical conditions; and health care workers.

“We’ll be doing the clinic from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the county health department,” said Stacey Adams, communities coordinator with the Alabama Strategic Alliance for Health program, which is affiliated with ADPH. “People who want the vaccines just need to come, get in line and fill out some paperwork, and they will be given the vaccine.

“We would like for people to bring their insurance card if they have insurance so we can bill a third party, but there will not be a fee for the vaccine.”

Adams said that when the vaccine runs out, ADPH is not sure if they will have another clinic, but the department will evaluate the supply.

“We must target our limited amounts of vaccine to individuals at the highest risk because of the uncertainties in supply we face,” said state health officer Dr. Donald Williamson. “We ask for the public’s support and understanding at this time. As more vaccine becomes available, our department and other health care providers will begin vaccinating school children and others outside of these target groups.”

The number of vaccine doses sent to each county health department has been allocated based on population. The public can find clinic dates, times and locations at the Web site www.adph.org or by calling the health department’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-377-7285 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.