The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department announced a series of Swine Flu clinics that provide an opportunity for local people in the federal target groups to receive vaccinations free of charge.

The first H1N1 Vaccination Clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 at the department’s main building, 3629 S. D St. in Tacoma. Subsequent clinics are scheduled at the same time and location each Wednesday until further notice.

Dedicated parking spots will be available for clinic attendees in the main lot on the west side of the health building. Attendees should report to the main lobby.

The clinic was scheduled in part because of a recent vaccine supply increase. Vaccine distribution, which starts at the federal level and drops through state health departments to counties, has been scarce since the distribution program started more than two months ago. The quantity was in the 10,000 doses per week range for the first month and double that for the past month.

The department eased restrictions Dec. 3 on who is eligible for vaccination in Pierce County. Swine Flu vaccination is now available to individuals in these groups: Pregnant women; people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age; all health care and emergency medical services personnel; all persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years; and people from ages 25 through 64 who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

Children under 10 years of age who are due for their second vaccinations also are included. Those coming for a second dose are requested to bring their vaccination record.

The Health Department offers Swine Flu prevention and other information, including upcoming clinics, on its Web site. Go to www.tpchd.org and click on H1N1. People also can e-subscribe on the Web site to public health news to receive daily H1N1 updates.

The Health Department and Pierce County Department of Emergency Management are operating an H1N1 Call Center at 253-798-7000.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.