POMEROY — Health departments and hospitals in all 88 Ohio counties are expecting to get a new supply of the H1N1 flu vaccine any day now.

That’s the word from the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) which submitted an order for 389,500 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Friday afternoon.

The vaccine will be shipped directly to 298 local health departments and hospitals in 88 Ohio counties, according to an ODC release.

As of yesterday, the Meigs County Health Department had not received a new supply. However with vaccine on hand the Health Department held a clinic Tuesday afternoon to immunize some children and high risk individuals.

The new ODC order includes 60,800 doses of nasal-spray vaccine and 328,700 shots of H1N1 flu vaccine. It is intended for high-risk individuals including health care workers and EMS workers who provide direct patient care; pregnant women; people who live with or care for children less than 6 months; all people 6 months to 24 years; and people 25 to 64 years with chronic medical conditions.

The vaccine orders should begin arriving at local health departments and hospitals today, according to CDC.

ODH has previously ordered 595,200 doses of H1N1 vaccine, bringing Ohio’s total to 984,700 doses thus far. More vaccine is expected to be available in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D. is urging Ohioans to be patient when they find themselves standing in line sat the H1N1 vaccination cliniics and to take items to help pass the time.

“We appreciate the patience that Ohioans are showing while waiting in line for their H1N1 vaccination,” Jackson said. “While it may be difficult to wait in line, especially with small children, it is worth it for protection against this flu virus.”

ODH recommends those attending an H1N1 vaccination clinic be prepared for the wait. Consider bringing toys, such as battery operated games or books, a folding chair, healthy snacks, bottle water, tissues, comfortable shoes, and hand sanitizer.

Jackson said it is also important to dress appropriately for weather conditions and take the following preventive measures to avoid spreading germs:

• Wash your hands frequently; alcohol-based hand sanitizers are effective if soap and water are not available.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or cough or sneeze into your elbow.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

• If you are sick, stay home until fever free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication.

For information on vaccine availability, check the ODH Web site at http://www.flu.ohio.gov or call the ODH H1N1 information line at 1-866-800-1404 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.