The Missoula City-County Health Department is running another H1N1 vaccine clinic this afternoon, and officials report very short wait times.

In fact, health officers have opened the clinic up to more children than originally planned because there are no lines and lots of vaccine available.

The clinic is open to all children ages 6 months to 4 years old; and to high-risk children from ages 5 to 18; and to caregivers and household members of infants up to 6 months in age.

The department defines "medically at-risk" kids as those with asthma or any other lung condition, immune disorders such as diabetes, muscular weakness such as muscular dystrophy or significant cerebral palsy, kidney and liver disease, blood disorders, chronic aspirin therapy, and chemotherapy for cancer or organ transplant.

Today's clinic is at Sentinel High School and runs until 5 p.m. Park in the Bancroft Street parking lot and follow the signs to the new gym.

The department said many parents believe their children have already had H1N1 flu. Even so, if a sick person was not tested and "confirmed" as a case, the national recommendations are to go ahead and get vaccinated. There's no downside to taking the shot.

The department reports many viruses in Missoula whose effects are similar to H1N1, so the illness might have been caused by something else.

At today's clinic, the health department will have information about the H1N1 vaccine and parent/guardian consent forms available at the clinic. Parents should plan to accompany their children to the clinic and complete the paperwork on site.

If you can't attend this clinic, call the health department's H1N1 info line at 258-4636 and get additional information about other clinic options. Additional immunization opportunities will be offered as early as this coming week for the highest risk groups, including repeat opportunities for children ages 6 months through 4 years.