Free H1N1 Flu vaccination clinics coming up

The Eastern Highlands Health District offers three free vaccination clinics (no insurance needed) for specific groups of residents in the towns of Andover, Ashford, Bolton, Chaplin, Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield, Scotland, Tolland and Willington. Other clinics will be offered but the first three are only for:

• Pregnant women

• School nurses

• Caregivers and household contacts of infants who are under 6 months of age

• Children ages 6 months through 18 years.  (All children younger than 18 must have a parent or guardian present at the clinic.)

The clinics will be held at three different locations, on three different dates - please register only for one, or you will be removed from the list.

• Monday, Nov. 9, 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Mansfield

• Wednesday, Nov. 11, 9:30 a.m. to noon in Coventry

• Friday, Nov. 13, 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Tolland

More details will be provided when you pre-register by visiting the EHHD Web site at www.ehhd.org.

For those unable to register online, register at your local library

There will be no walk-ins allowed. You absolutely must pre-register.

These initial clinics are being organized following federal guidelines that prioritize the most at-risk populations.

Unlike seasonal flu, which poses high risk for the elderly, the H1N1 flu virus has had more impact on infants, children and young adults. Therefore, those who live with and work with young children also must be vaccinated.

Hospitals also have reported more pregnant women being hospitalized with H1N1 than is usual for the seasonal flu.

For more information, visit www.flu.gov

A search for the key word “H1N1′ on this HTNP.com site also will bring you to several stories related to vaccine supply and distribution and other resources.

Received and posted Nov. 5, 2009