The Edgecombe County Health Department is offering a H1N1 Flu Clinic at both of their locations in Tarboro and Rocky Mount from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The vaccine is being offered free of charge. No appointment is necessary.

If you’re pregnant, between 6 months-24 years old, have household contact with children 6 months or under, between 25-64 years old with health problems such as diabetes, chronic lung disease, or immunosuppressant, or a health care or emergency service worker, you fit the criteria for receiving the H1N1 vaccine.

“We are only vaccinating people that meet the criteria,” Michelle Etheridge, health education supervisor.

This is the first clinic that has been offered since the vaccine arrived in late October.

“We will have more clinics and they will be off-site as supplies are received,” Etheridge said.

Prior to that, the vaccine was being offered to those within the target groups on a walk-in basis.

The H1N1 virus has similar traits as the seasonal flu such as it being very contagious and the symptoms. Symptoms include:

• Fever over 100 degrees

• Headache

• Extreme tiredness

• Dry cough

• Runny or stuffy nose

• Muscle aches

• Sore throat