The Newton Health Department has been all about flu vaccines in recent months. Here’s an update on what preparations are underway for seasonal and H1N1 vaccinations this Fall.
Seasonal flu vaccine will be provided to adults age 50 and older and to younger adults with chronic medical conditions. The process will be the same as it has been in years past. This year the Massachusetts Department of Public Health will provide us with our vaccinations in October, so you can expect to see a seasonal flu clinic for Newton residents in early to mid-October. We usually hold them at American Legion Post 440 on California Street and plan to do the same this year, barring any unforeseen date conflicts.
We’re also expanding a pilot program we conducted last year in the public middle schools. This year parents of both middle and high school students will have the opportunity to sign their child up to receive the seasonal flu vaccine at school. We’re partnering with Maxim Health Systems again. The flu shot will be available for $25 and the intranasal flu vaccine (FluMist) will be $35.
However, we’re not the only place in town to get a seasonal flu vaccine. If you would like to have yours earlier, you have options. Many primary care providers and other physicians are expected to begin providing vaccine in late August. Community providers hold clinics in local pharmacies as well. Often employers will provide vaccine to their workforce, so check with your Human Resources department to see if your employer will be providing vaccine. There may be a cost associated with some vaccine providers. http://flu.masspro.org/ This website – once it is updated as we get closer to flu vaccination season – is a place where details about many public clinics are posted.
In addition to seasonal flu vaccine, we also expect to be providing the H1N1 (swine-origin) influenza vaccine that’s currently in production. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is optimistic that this vaccine will be available in small amounts beginning in October. Vaccine production will continue as long as there is demand for the vaccine, so we expect to have H1N1 vaccine for anyone who wants it. However, there will be priority groups of people who we need to vaccinate first because their circumstance makes them more vulnerable to the H1N1 flu. These groups are:
- Pregnant women
- Household contacts and caregivers of infants under 6 months of age
- Healthcare providers and emergency medical responders
- Children and young adults age 6 months to 24 years old
- People age 25 to 64 years old with underlying medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease)
Once we have a better idea of when the H1N1 vaccine will arrive, we’ll be announcing clinic dates and times. You may call our flu hotline at 617-796-1426 for updated clinic information.
Both the CDC and the MDPH had great flu websites with lots of Frequently Asked Questions. You may access both sites from the city’s health department page. http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/Health/disease.html#swine
Remember this is a rapidly evolving flu season and we’ll do our best to keep you up-to-date will all the latest information.
