Editor's note: In an effort to provide accurate and timely information on H1N1 activity, area health departments have offered to provide a weekly update on flu activity, as well as information on vaccination clinics and precautions. This column will appear each Sunday.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and CDC have now authorized the immunization of the general public for H1N1 flu. The vaccine supply is currently being shipped. This decision was based on a review of vaccine distribution to private practices as well as attendance at recent immunization clinics held throughout the state. This study showed that the highest risk individuals (those under 24 years of age) have for the most part been immunized, and that clinics should now be opened to the general public.
In the Greater Lawrence and Haverhill area, local public health clinics have been targeted at high risk populations such as medical workers, pregnant women, parents of newborn children, and children under the age of 24. We are aware that not all persons in those categories wishing to receive immunization have received it. We encourage them to attend one of the public clinics being planned for January.
We continue to hear that some people are concerned with the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, or believe that being vaccinated is not needed. As we have stated in the past, the vaccine is manufactured in the same manner as standard seasonal flu vaccine. Had the H1N1 outbreak occurred in February 2009 instead of April, the seasonal vaccine would probably have included it as one of its three target flu strains.
Despite the decrease in illness rates, it is important to ensure that all persons are vaccinated against the virus. Even if you think you had the virus earlier this year, you should still get the vaccination in case your presumption is wrong, and you were sick with something else. We are now entering the flu season, and we expect that the H1N1 virus will again make its presence known.
We as a society have an obligation to help protect those who are unable to protect themselves. We constantly interact with persons who are unable to be vaccinated due to illness or compromised immune systems. By preventing transmission of the virus to ourselves, we protect those persons because we cannot then pass it along to them. We develop a herd immunity that decreases the transmission incidence and therefore decreases the number of persons who will become ill.
Area communities are now planning large open clinics to continue the work of vaccinating for H1N1 flu. North Andover will hold a clinic on Jan. 6 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1600 Osgood St. (Osgood Landing). The clinic will be open to persons 18 years and older. Haverhill will hold a clinic on Saturday, Jan. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Citizen Center, 10 Welcome St. Methuen and Lawrence will conduct a joint clinic on Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Methuen High School Field House from 1 to 4 p.m. The clinic will be for persons aged 4 years and older.
Andover will hold a clinic on Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. at West Middle School. The clinic will be open to persons 10 years and older. Andover will soon announce a separate clinic for children between the ages of 4 and 9 years of age. Children who need either the first or second dose of H1N1 vaccine may receive the shot at this clinic. (Children under 9 years of age require two doses separated by one month). Documentation of the date of the first dose is required in order to receive the second dose at this clinic.
In most cases, required forms may be downloaded from each community's Web site.
