The City of El Paso's Department of Public Health will be offering the H1N1 flu vaccine during the month of December, but only by appointment.

The department will give the vaccine only to those identified as "high risk" for developing complications from the H1N1 flu. These groups include:

- Pregnant women

- Persons living with or caring for infants younger than 6 months old

- Children and young adults age 6 months to 24 years old

- Persons age 25 through 64 with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for complications

- Children getting long-term aspirin therapy

The H1N1 vaccine will be offered free of charge during the first half of December at the department's five immunization clinics. The vaccine will be offered based on availability.

A person in any of the five "high risk" groups mentioned above must make an appointment in advance by calling (915) 771-5759.

The call center will be open from 8:30am to 7:00pm on Saturday, November 21 and Monday, November 23.

No walk-ins will be allowed at any of the clinics.

Due to the high volume of calls being received, the City of El Paso's Public Health Department asks people wishing to make an appointment to remain patient when making the phone call.

In addition, people calling for an appointment may have to dial more than once to get through to a call taker.