Yamhill County Public Health has quit taking vaccination appointments for either the seasonal or H1N1 flu until it receives additional supplies of vaccine.

Spokeswoman Sarah Bates said the H1N1 vaccine is currently being offered only to people in high-risk groups - pregnant women, children 6 months to 5 years of age and parents, siblings and caregivers of infants under 6 months. She urged people falling into one of those categories to check back Nov. 12 to see about its availability.

There is no charge for the H1N1 vaccinations. The federal government is paying for them.

The department is also out of seasonal flu vaccine, but expecting new shipments soon. All interested members of the public are invited to check back Nov. 12 on its availability.

Seasonal flu vaccinations run $39.75 for the nasal spray version, $30.25 for the preservative-free inoculation version and $29.50 for the regular inoculation version. Medicaid can be billed for the nasal spray version and Medicare, Medicaid and Blue Cross can be billed for the inoculation version.

People who do not have insurance, or are unable to pay the full amount, will be accommodated nonetheless. No one will be turned away for inability to pay.

For healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49, the live-virus nasal spray version, called FluMist, is considered the best option, according to Bates.

McMinnville students who missed the H1N1 vaccination clinics held at their school may obtain vaccinations at the high school on Tuesday, Nov. 24, Bates said. The time will be announced as soon as it has been determined, she said.

Private clinics and pharmacies have not yet received any shipments of H1N1 vaccine, and have been out of seasonal flu vaccine for some time. However, additional seasonal flu shipments should begin reaching them again in the coming weeks, and the seasonal flu doesn't typically begin circulating to any great extent until January.

According to the state Health Division, 21 people from Yamhill County have been hospitalized for complications of the H1N1 flu since Sept. 1 and there has been one fatality. Unlike the seasonal flu, which typically hits elderly people the hardest, the H1N1 flu typically hits children and young adults hardest.

Yamhill County Public Health may be reached at 503-434-7443. In addition, the state is manning a flu hotline at 1-800-978-3040 and maintaining a flu website at www.flu.oregon.gov.