EL PASO, Texas -- The El Paso County Health Department has been busy taking appointments by phone since it announced to the public when it will be distributing the H1N1 vaccine.

The El Paso County Health Department said Thursday its been busy taking phone calls from concerned citizens.

An announcement was issued Wednesday to the public about the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine becoming available at a mass vaccination clinic on Nov. 24, but only by appointment.

The department would like to encourage residents to call back if they get a busy signal. It may take a few times before you get through to a call taker said spokesman Tammy Fonce.

We will be taking appointments for the next few days.

To make an appointment to receive the 2009 H1N1 Flu vaccine, the public may call 915-77-5759.

The call center will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

The call center will be closed on Sunday. Call center operations will resume on Monday. The call center phone bank will be closed on Tuesday.

The vaccine will be given out by appointment only at the Judson F. Williams Convention Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, to individuals identified to be at high risk for developing complications arising from the 2009 H1N1 Flu. The target populations are:

• Pregnant women • Persons who live with or provide care for infants younger than 6 months • Children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years, and persons aged 25 through 64 who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for complications • Children receiving long-term aspirin therapy

Fonce also said Thursday this is not the public's last opportunity to get the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine.