Health Department Events Calendar

H1N1 Flu Public Clinics February 20, 2010 Freeholder Gerald Thornton encourages all Cape May County residents to protect themselves against H1N1 flu by getting vaccinated.   “This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination, as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season into January and beyond,” said Thornton. The Cape May County Department of Health has scheduled many opportunities for residents to get vaccinated against H1N1 flu. The following H1N1 flu clinics will be held at the County Department of Health, located at 6 Moore Road in CMCH (exit 11 off of the GSP):      • Friday, January 15 * 4-7pm      • Wednesday, January 20 * 4-7pm      • Friday, January 22 * 4-7pm      • Thursday, January 28 * 4-6pm      • Friday, January 29 * 9am-12pm      • Thursday, February 4 * 4-6pm      • Wednesday, February 10 * 4-6pm      • Saturday, February 20 * 9am-12pm      • Thursday, February 25 * 4-6pm   Health Officer Kevin Thomas added, “Since the H1N1 disease is likely to continue, it is important to maintain or increase the number of people who get the H1N1 vaccine at a time when demand for vaccine usually drops significantly. Though this has been an unprecedented year in terms of the number of people who have received flu vaccinations, most people still have not gotten the H1N1 vaccine - there is still room for improvement among every age and risk group. Influenza is unpredictable and we do not know the likelihood of a future wave of H1N1 influenza, but we do know that vaccination is the single best way to reduce the health impact of influenza.” H1N1 flu vaccination is now available for all residents including seniors. While older people are thought to be less likely to be infected with the 2009 H1N1 virus compared to younger persons, there have been severe infections and deaths from 2009 H1N1 in every age group, including people 65 and older. Children less than 10 years of age need to receive two doses of vaccine to be fully protected. The second dose should be given ideally 28 days after the first dose, but it can be given after a minimum of 21 days. While supplies last, the Department will offer both the FluMist and the injectable vaccine. FluMist is a vaccine made with live, weakened viruses that cannot grow at normal body temperature and is given via a nasal sprayer. Healthy persons 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant can receive FluMist. Patient consent forms are available to download at www.cmchealth.net and are available onsite. Certain persons should not receive the H1N1 flu vaccine. Similar to seasonal flu, persons with a severe allergy to eggs or any of the vaccine components, who have had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine, or who have been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome will need a prescription from their physician to get a flu vaccine. Updated information is posted at cmchealth.net and is also available on the county’s flu hotline, 463-6581.

Previous Event Date Back to Calendar Next Event Date

Print this page  Email this page