Wake to Begin H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics
10/7/2009
Wake County will begin holding H1N1 influenza vaccination clinics Thursday, October 8, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at four locations across the County. No appointment is necessary and there is no cost for the H1N1 vaccine. Only Nasal FluMist vaccines (nasal spray) will be distributed at the
clinics.
The Nasal FluMist vaccine is composed of a weakened live virus and is only recommended for healthy people between the ages of 2 and 49 years of age. The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women, anyone with a long-term health problem or children with asthma.
Wake County will prioritize H1N1 FluMist Nasal influenza vaccinations for individuals in the groups recommended to receive as follows:
- Children age 2-24
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 2 years of age
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel that will be in contact with high-risk groups
“We are pleased that we are able to vaccinate our citizens and protect them against the H1N1 flu,” said Community Health Director Sue Lynn Ledford. “It is important for our citizens to know that when we get vaccine we will make it available as quickly as possible, and we will make them aware of where and when they can get it.”
Clinics will be held Monday through Friday, as long as the vaccines remains in stock, at the following times and locations:
Raleigh
Public Health Center – Room G35
10 Sunnybrook Road, Raleigh
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fuquay-Varina
Southern Regional Center
130 N. Judd Parkway, Fuquay-Varina
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wake Forest
Northern Regional Center
350 East Holding Ave., Wake Forest
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Zebulon
Eastern Regional Center
1002 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More vaccine is expected to arrive later in October, including the injectable form. Once both forms of vaccine are available the groups recommended to receive the vaccine will include:
- Pregnant Women
- Children age 6 months-24 years
- Persons 25-64 with underlying health issues
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months
H1N1 Nasal FluMist and Seasonal FluMist should not be given at the same time. Children under 9 years of age should get two doses of the H1N1 vaccine (either nasal or injectable), one month apart; other children and adults only need one dose.
“The number one message we are trying to get out is that you need to stay home if you’re sick and remain home until your fever is gone for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication,” said Ledford. “The best way to stop the H1N1 flu from spreading is for people who are sick to stay home. We urge all employers to work with their staffs, and be as lenient as possible in allowing people to stay home when they or a family member are sick.”
The H1N1 vaccine does not replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine to protect citizens. The symptoms of H1N1 are similar to the seasonal flu: fever (above
100 degrees), cough, sore throat, stuffy nose and, in some cases, people have also experienced vomiting, body aches and headaches.
For more information about H1N1 flu and seasonal flu visit www.wakegov.com/flu. For the latest updates, sign up to follow ReadyWake! using Twitter at www.twitter.com/readywake.
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