The Northern Kentucky Health Department has confirmed a death associated with the H1N1 virus Wednesday.
A Kenton County woman in her 50s died in November and recent testing confirmed that the individual's death was associated with the swine flu, but the woman did have underlying medical conditions prior to her death.
"Although it's been several weeks since it occurred, a death is still a tragedy for the individual's family and we extend our sympathies to them," said Steven R. Katkowsky, M.D., District Director of Health. "Swine flu is an unpredictable virus. Thus, it is important to take steps to protect ourselves from the illness."
To date, the N.Ky. Health Department has vaccinated more than 28,000 people against the swine flu and has provided more than 59,000 doses of the vaccine to more than 50 medical providers.
People are still encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as they can.
The N.Ky. Health Department will provide the vaccine by appointment in its county health centers to anyone wishing to receive the vaccine for free. Appointments for the vaccinations will be taken by phone beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 11 with the first appointments beginning Wednesday, Jan. 20.
Locations of those centers are as follows:
* Boone County Health Center, 7505 Burlington Pike, Florence, Ky. (859) 363-2060
* Campbell County Health Center, 1098 Monmouth St., Newport, Ky. (859) 431-1704 (note the new address)
* Grant County Health Center, 234 Barnes Road, Williamstown, Ky. (859) 824-5074
* Kenton County Health Center, 2002 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky. (859) 431-3345
A community vaccination clinic will also be held on Jan 9 at
Cooper High School for children under age 10 who received a first dose of the vaccine prior to Dec. 11 and require a second dose, and for those individuals who are at high risk. That clinic will be between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
