Although many officials believe the H1N1 influenza strain has been well contained, Texas Department of State Health Services epidemiologists encourage Central Texans to receive vaccinations.

DSHS will offer a free vaccine clinic Monday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the former Lampasas Middle School cafeteria.

DSHS especially recommends vaccinations for health care workers, people ages six months to 24 years -- whether healthy or not -- and for those ages 25-64 who have chronic health problems, said Gene Mikeska, epidemiologist for public health preparedness for Health Service Region 7, which includes Lampasas County.

Those with respiratory illnesses or suppressed immunity, as well as pregnant women, also face greater risks from H1N1 flu than the general population, Mikeska said. People who provide care to infants should be vaccinated, he added, as children younger than six months cannot receive an H1N1 shot.

Although those in higher-risk populations are targeted for vaccination, anyone can receive a free shot, Mikeska said. “We’re not going to turn people away,” he said.

Along with DSHS, some health providers are offering free immunization events.

Metroplex Hospital administered 542 free H1N1 vaccinations during a recent four-hour clinic.

“It was awesome,” said Desirae Franco, Metroplex public relations specialist. “We were really happy with the turnout.”

The shot clinic was open to the public, not just to people considered to face an elevated H1N1 risk, Ms. Franco said.

Metroplex is planning a similar free vaccination event on behalf of Rollins Brook Community Hospital, Ms. Franco said. A one-day vaccine clinic likely will be offered this week or next week, she said.

While health officials recommend vaccinations, Mikeska said Central Texas residents should be informed, not frightened.

A small number of people in the higher-risk groups have been hospitalized because of H1N1 flu, but most people who get sick recover fairly quickly, Mikeska said.

“The actual levels of illness are coming down for our region,” he said.

Every year, about 36,000 people die in the United States from flurelated causes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In contrast, DSHS has recorded fewer than 200 “H1N1- associated” deaths in Texas since April.

Additional “waves” of H1N1 are possible, though, Mikeska said, and health officials want as many people as possible to receive a vaccination in case the H1N1 strain becomes more serious or develops anti-viral resistance.

“The reason we want to get this vaccine into the community is if we get people vaccinated before it [the H1N1 strain] changes, they’ll have that immunity,” he said.

Patients younger than 10 years will need a booster shot, Mikeska said, although others typically have enough immune response to require just one H1N1 shot.

H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccinations can be taken at the same time, he said.

Because the H1N1 vaccine has about a three-week latency period, people can get sick if they have contact with the H1N1 virus either shortly before or soon after vaccination.

“People feel like the vaccine gives them the flu, but that’s really not correct,” Mikeska said. “If they get sick, it’s either because they were exposed beforehand or right after.”

People with any type of illness should delay receiving a flu shot until they recover fully, Mikeska said. Waiting ensures that the immune system is strong enough for a vaccine to be as effective as possible, the epidemiologist said.

About 85 percent of people who get an H1N1 shot respond to the vaccine -- as long as they are not exposed to H1N1 before the latency period ends, Mikeska said. The small percentage who become ill from H1N1 despite receiving a vaccine usually do not get as sick as those who are not vaccinated, the health official added.

Physicians receive federally subsidized H1N1 vaccinations at no charge, Mikeska said. As a result, people who cannot attend free public vaccination clinics typically pay only a small administrative fee to receive a shot in a doctor’s office, he said.

Many physicians already have ordered vaccines, Mikeska said, and supplies are steady. “Shipments are continuing all the time.”