McAlester-area residents were already filing into the Pittsburg County Health Department this morning, after learning that Influenza A H1N1 swine flu virus shots are now available to the general public.

“Anyone who wants to reduce the risk of getting the H1N1 influenza is now eligible receive the H1N1 vaccine,” said Pittsburg County Health Department Administrator Mike Echelle.

Joni Jones, of McAlester, arrived at the health department shortly after 8 this morning. Jones said she had dropped her husband off at the doctor’s office and thought it would be a good time for her to get a swine flu vaccine.

Signing in behind her were John and Betty Fitts, who were also among the first arrivals early today.

“We saw it in the News-Capital, online,” John Fitts said, relating how the couple had learned the H1N1 swine flu vaccines were now available for everyone at the health department.

After quickly completing the sign-in procedure at a table manned by Billy Heath, the Fitts were seated next to a couple of registered nurses.

RN Vicky Miller gave Betty Fitts her vaccination, while RN Catherine Craig gave the shot to John Fitts.

How long did the entire procedure take?

“It took about a minute,” John Fitts said.

And how does he feel after finally getting vaccinated for the swine flu?

Fitts said he felt great —and broke into a little soft-shoe routine to prove it.

Echelle said there had been a steady trickle of people coming to the health department early today and Tuesday afternoon to get vaccinated. About 10 people had been vaccinated within the first 30 minutes that the health department had been open this morning.

To get one of the Influenza H1N1 vaccinations, simply stop by the Pittsburg County Health Department during regular business hours, Echelle said.

The health department does not charge individuals for the vaccinations.

While Echelle had approximately 1,000 doses of the Influenza A H1N1 swine flu vaccine available as of near noon on Tuesday, the Pittsburg County Health Department is still out of the regular seasonal flu vaccination for adults.

“We anticipate receiving more of the seasonal flu vaccine after Thanksgiving, around the end of November or the first week in December,” Echelle said, referring to the regular flu vaccine for adults.

The Pittsburg County Health Department still has some of the pediatric seasonal flu vaccine available for children, he said.

While the Influenza A H1N1 swine flu vaccinations are now open to everyone, Echelle stressed that those in high-risk groups who have not already received a vaccination should be sure to get one,

“We will continue to emphasize the importance of vaccinations for priority groups, including children and pregnant women,” Echelle said.

The health department is at 1400 E. College Ave., across Strong Boulevard from the McAlester Regional Health Center.

Hours are from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com