Kings County Health Officials are reporting the county's first child death from the H1N1 virus.

The child is described as being in the first grade, and having had many "significant preexisting medical conditions" that officials say may have interfered with his ability to fight off H1N1 infection. 

The death marks the first H1N1 child fatality to occur in the Central Valley. Throughout the State of California there have been 20 flu-related child deaths, 13 of which are related to the H1N1 Virus.

According to health officials, vaccination is the most effective means of preventing influenza. 

Those targeted for vaccinations include; children 6 mo to 7 years; pregnant women; school-aged children with serious medical conditions, caretakers of infants under 6 months and front line health care workers. 

Adults will need only one dose while children aged nine and younger will require two doses.

Kings County Health Officials say that so far this year they have received 1,600 doses of the nasal vaccine for the H1N1 Virus.

The vaccine is available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday at the Health Department in Hanford.  Additional clinics are also expected to be scheduled in Avenal and in Corcoran soon.  You can call 1-800-649 5399 for more information on these clinics.

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