Child care providers and children who go to large day cares will be lining up this week to get the H1N1 vaccine. It's the next high risk group the state is targeting because more children than adults are getting the virus, and it can quickly spread through day care centers.

Tuesday, day cares in Minnehaha County started handing out notes to parents with children younger than four saying they can get the H1N1 vaccine. It's a shot that will protect some of the state's youngest children against this new virus, but also a shot that will bring parents peace of mind.

The Apple Tree Child Care Center on 26th street in Sioux Falls is familiar with the flu. A note on the front door alerts parents that the day care has confirmed cases of H1N1. Michellee Carrizales has two children that have the virus.

"It's hitting hard. My son had it last week and my daughter ended up getting it this week, so its getting it really fast," Apple Tree parent Michellee Carrizales said.

That's why Carrizales was glad to find a note when she picked her son up from day care Tuesday saying Apple Tree workers, parents and their children can get the H1N1 vaccine.

"The kids are getting it worse than the actual adults," Carrizales said.

Judy Abayakoon is the director of the Apple Tree Child Care Center and says its important for her workers to get the vaccine, not only so they don't miss work, but also so they stop the spread of the virus.

"We take care of the kids, the infants and younger kids, and if they get the flu it's very hard on them. So, I think they are doing the right thing by giving it to the child care workers so they will be safe," Abayakoon said.

And that's why Abayakoon is encouraging her workers to get the vaccine and telling the parents and children at her day care to protect themselves against H1N1.

"Now that it has come to us its our duty to go get it and to be safe and healthy that we should take it."

The H1N1 vaccine clinic in Minnehaha County will be on Thursday October 29th:
 
-W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, Sioux Falls, 3pm to 7pm

But, Minnehaha County emergency officials want to limit it to parents with children under the age of four who go to a large child care center. Officials have already sent out notes to those day cares that have been selected.

There are two H1N1 vaccine clinics scheduled for Wednesday October 28th in Rapid City:

-YMCA, 815 Kansas City, St, Rapid City, 2pm to 6pm
-Youth & Family Services, 120 E Adams, Community Room, Rapid City, 2pm to 6pm

There are also two clinics scheduled for Thursay October 29th in Rapid City:

-Westside Preschool and Daycare, Canyon Lake United Methodist Church, 3500 Canyon Lake Drive, 2pm to 6 pm
-Banana Bunch Childcare Center, 3pm to 6pm