Swine Flu

 Vaccines Available

By John Voket

Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert informed The Newtown Bee this week that she has been working with many partners to vaccinate residents for the H1N1 virus during the past five weeks. And there are vaccines still available for those who qualify.

Clinics have been held every Monday at the Whisconier Middle School in Brookfield, every Tuesday at the high school in Newtown, and additional clinics have been held at Shepaug High School, as well as smaller targeted clinics have been conducted for emergency medical services personnel and others on the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) priority group list.

The district volunteers will continue to vaccinate in accordance with the state DPH priority groups:

*Pregnant women

*Persons who live with or provide care for infants aged less than 6 months old (e.g., parents, siblings, and day care providers)

*Persons aged 6 months through 24 years

*Persons aged 25–64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

*Health care and emergency medical services personnel

A list of medical conditions that confer a higher risk for influenza-related complications can be found at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/highrisk.htm.

“The district will host two more clinics planned in Newtown in December, the 15th and the 22nd, and we plan to resume clinics again after the holiday,” Ms Culbert said. “Watch the District website for updates.”

People who meet the above listed criteria should call:

Newtown Health District at 203-270-4291 to register to be vaccinated.

Brookfield residents should call 203-775-7315 to register to be vaccinated.

Roxbury and Bridgewater residents can call either location.