H1N1 Clinic on Sunday

From the Department of Health:

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The seventh in a series of H1N1 flu clinics sponsored by Mass Dispensing Area 36 (MDA 36) is scheduled:

Sunday, November 22

3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Middlefield Federated Church

402 Main Street, Middlefield.

The Federated Church is opposite the Middlefield Fire Station. The clinic is open only to residents of Cromwell, Durham, Haddam, Middlefield, and Middletown.

The clinic is free but proof of age and residency will be required. The vaccine is in ample supply and will be given out alphabetically by last name. People whose last names begin with the letters A through M can get their vaccine from 3:00 PM until 5:30 PM. People whose last names begin with the letters N through Z can get their vaccine from 5:30 PM until 8:00 PM.

The H1N1 flu vaccine will be administered by nasal spray which has been approved by the FDA (Federal Food & Drug Administration) and endorsed by the Journal of Pediatrics. Millions of doses of nasal spray have been administered in clinical trials with little or no side effects. The weakened live virus is introduced to each nostril, thereby providing almost immediate immunity to the H1N1 virus. The spray offers somewhat better protection against the virus as opposed to injection. The spray does not contain preservatives such as thimerisol and does not cause the flu.

Clinic participants must be 2 through 24 years of age in good health, or healthy 18 through 49 year-olds who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age, or are health-care workers (including school nurses) or emergency medical personnel (license required) who are in good health.

Only one dose of nasal spray is needed to protect adults against H1N1 flu. However, children under the age of 9, who receive the vaccine mist, must receive a second dose in about 30 days (parents or guardians should check with their health care provider to determine if the vaccine is appropriate for their child). Children who have already received their first dose and due for another, may receive their second dose at this clinic (influenza vaccination card must be presented).

People who have a severe allergy to eggs should not receive the vaccine. Pregnant women cannot receive the vaccine by nasal spray but can get intramuscular injection (shot). The H1N1 vaccine is not effective against seasonal influenza.

More H1N1 flu clinics are expected to be scheduled for other segments of the population. The clinics are sponsored by MDA 36: the City of Middletown and the towns of Cromwell, Durham, Haddam and Middlefield.

For more information (including directions to the Middlefield Federated Church), call (860) 349-7123.