Healthline: Flu Season

Submitted by Louis Carta of the City of Middletown Department of Health

Dr. Randy Goodwin, Section Chief of Infectious Diseases at Middlesex Hospital, is the guest on the next edition of the health-information radio program — Healthline. Dr. Goodwin will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatment of influenza and how the upcoming flu season may impact you.

Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. On average, 5% to 20% of the American population gets the flu and more than 200,000 are hospitalized from complications. Unlike other other respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, the flu can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications in many people.

Healthline is produced by the Middletown Health Department and can be heard Saturday, October 1, at 3:15 a.m., 12:15 p.m., and 5:15 p.m. on WIHS 104.9 FM and “on-demand” at cnxradio.com.

Free Seasonal Flu Clinics on Tuesdays in November

Dates, Times and Locations:

• November 2: Durham Activity Center (second floor), 350 Main Street, Durham, 3:00-8:00 pm
• November 9: Coles Road Fire Station, 105 Coles Road, Cromwell, 3:00-8:00 pm
• November 16: City Hall Council Chamber, 245 Dekoven Drive Middletown, 3:00-8:00 pm

Must be over two years of age and in good health
No residency required
Limited vaccine supply
No appointment necessary: first-come, first-served

For more information, call (860) 344-3595

Sponsored by MDR (Mass Dispensing Area) Region 36:
(Towns of Cromwell, Durham, Haddam, Middlefield, and the City of Middletown)

H1N1 Flu Clinic on Thursday

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

Thursday, December 3

Noon - 6:00 PM

Middletown Municipal Building Council Chamber.

The clinic is free and open only to residents of Cromwell, Durham, Haddam, Middlefield, and Middletown. The vaccine will be given out by appointment. Proof of age and residency will be required.

Most of the H1N1 flu vaccine will be administered by nasal spray. Residents eligible to receive the nasal spray must be 2 - 24 years of age in good health, or healthy individuals who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age, or are certified emergency medical personnel (license required) who are in good health, or healthcare workers (including school nurses) who are in good health and have direct patient contact (especially with children).

Only one dose of nasal spray is needed to protect adults against H1N1 flu. However, children under the age of 10 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, can receive their second dose at this clinic (influenza vaccination card must be presented). The spray does not contain preservatives such as thimerisol and does not cause the flu.

Pregnant women cannot receive nasal spray but can get the vaccine by intramuscular injection (shot). Individuals who live with or care for children less than 6 months of age, all children 6 months - 6 years of age, children and young adults 7 - 24 with high - risk medical conditions, certified emergency medical personnel (license required), or healthcare workers (including school nurses) with direct patient care (especially with children) can receive an injection. Persons aged 25 - 64 who have underlying medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications are also eligible to get a shot. People who have a severe allergy to eggs should not receive the vaccine.

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 or to schedule an appointment, call (860) 344-3474.

H1N1 Flu Clinic on Thursday

The sixth in a series of H1N1 flu clinics sponsored by Mass Dispensing Area 36 (MDA 36) is scheduled at the Cromwell Fire Station on Coles Road (Coles is a continuation of East Street, north of Rte 372):

Thursday, November 12

2:00 PM to 8:00 PM

105 Coles Road, Cromwell.

The clinic is open only to residents of Cromwell, Durham, Haddam, Middlefield, and Middletown.

Participants must be 2 through 18 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 (licenses required) who are in good health. Pregnant women are not eligible for this clinic.

The H1N1 vaccine will be administered by nasal spray. The weakened live virus is introduced to each nostril, thereby providing almost immediate immunity to H1N1. People who have a severe allergy to eggs should not receive the vaccine. Children under the age of 10, 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. The H1N1 vaccine is not effective against seasonal influenza.

The clinic is free but proof of age and residency will be required. The supply of vaccine is limited. 1,000 vaccines will be given out by appointment only (walk-ins will not be permitted). Appointments will be accepted Tuesday morning starting at 8:30 AM. Once the supply of vaccine is exhausted, registration will be closed.

More H1N1 flu clinics are expected to be scheduled for other segments of the population as vaccine becomes available. The clinics are sponsored by Mass Dispensing Area 36: the City of Middletown and the towns of Cromwell, Durham, Haddam and Middlefield.

For more information (including directions to the fire station) or to make an appointment, please call (860) 613-0607.

Thursday H1N1 Flu Clinic is Full

The Mass Dispensing Area 36 (MDA 36) H1N1 Flu Clinic for residents of Middletown, Cromwell, Durham, Middlefield, and Haddam scheduled for Thursday, November 5, at the Durham Fair Grounds is completely booked and closed to registrations. Additional H1N1 Flu Clinics are expected in this area when more vaccine becomes available. MDA 36 residents should consult local media for further announcements.

H1N1 Flu Clinic Next Thursday

NOTE ADDED, FRIDAY 11PM, from Fire Chief Edward Badamo of South Fire District: Please be advised that appointments are no longer being taken for next Thursday's H1N1 Flu Clinic in Durham. However, there is a possibility that some additional vaccine may be available next week. People interested in trying to get vaccine should call the Durham Health Department at 343-6732 on Monday for more information.

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This week's H1N1 flu vaccination clinic was completely booked, and to meet the demand for shots, another one has been scheduled for next week, note that reservations are required. From a Middletown Department of Health Press Release:

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The fifth in a series of H1N1 flu clinics sponsored by MDA 36 has been scheduled:

Thursday, November 5

12 noon to 8:00 PM

The “Cow Palace” at the Durham Fairgrounds

The clinic is open only to residents of Cromwell, Durham, Haddam, Middlefield, and Middletown.

Participants must be 2 through 24 years of age in good health, or 25 through 49 years of age and live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age, or are health care (including school nurses) or emergency medical personnel (licenses required). Also, individuals with long-term medical problems and pregnant women may receive the vaccine but must have written approval from their health care provider.

The H1N1 vaccine will likely be administered by intramuscular injection. People who have a severe allergy to eggs should not receive the vaccine. Parents or guardians should check with their health care provider to determine if the vaccine is appropriate for their child. The H1N1 vaccine is not effective against seasonal influenza.

The clinic is free and by reservation only. Proof of age and residency will be required.

Directions to the Cow Palace: Take CT Route 17 (Main Street) to the southern end of the Town Green. Use the entrance to the Town Hall (sign), and then proceed straight down the hill to the large green building.

More H1N1 flu clinics are expected to be scheduled for other segments of the population as vaccine becomes available. The clinics are sponsored by Mass Dispensing Area 36 comprised of the City of Middletown and the Towns of Cromwell, Durham, Haddam and Middlefield.

For more information or to make a appointment, please call 860-343-6732.

Flu Clinic Today

From the City of Middletown Health Department

Correction from an earlier post.

A flu clinic will be held today for MDA 36 (Mass Distribution Area 36) residents only at St.
Francis Parrish Center, 10 Elm St., Middletown from noon- 3:00 PM or until flu vaccine serum runs out.

Information about the clinic, currently on the Middletown Health Department website that the clinic is for uninsured patients only, is incorrect.

The supply of seasonal flu vaccine is limited and will be given on a first-come first serve basis to
residents nine years and older of Cromwell, Durham, Haddam, Middlefield, and Middletown
without medical insurance. Residents with insurance are encouraged to receive a seasonal flu
shot from area pharmacies, retail establishments, or health care providers.

MDA 36 is working with suppliers and distributors to secure more seasonal vaccine and will
reschedule the mass vaccination if and when vaccine becomes available.

For more information on the seasonal-vaccine clinic, MDA 36 residents should call the following
phone numbers: Cromwell 632-3426; Durham: 349-8253; Haddam: 345-4621; Middlefield: 349-
7123; Middletown 344-3474.

City of Middletown Flu Shot Clinic on Friday

The City of Middletown is holding a first-come/first-serve flu clinic Friday (10/23) from 12-3 at St. Francis Community Center on Elm and Silver Streets. This is for the regular, seasonal flu.

If you have questions, please call 344-3474.