Seasonal Flu Information
The Pomperaug District Department of Health regularly conducts many influenza vaccination clinics for the general public and the senior centers. Influenza and pneumonia are the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.
Flu Clinic Schedule
New Information For 2011
New Vaccine Available: High-Dose Influenza Vaccine
High-Dose Influenza Vaccine is for persons 65 years of age and older and is designed to generate a more robust immune response. It has 4 times the antigens as the regular seasonal flu vaccine and produces up to 80% higher antibody levels. It will be offered at Heritage Village and Senior Center clinics as supplies allow.
Influenza Vaccine Requirements for Children Who Attend Day Care
The State of Connecticut has issued new influenza vaccine requirements for children who attend day care. By January 2011, and each January 1 thereafter, children aged 6-59 months attending a child day care center, group day care center, or family day care home are required to receive at least one dose of influenza vaccine between September 1 and December 31 of the preceding year. All children aged 6-59 months who have not received vaccination against influenza previously should receive 2 doses of vaccine the first influenza season that they are vaccinated.
Vaccine Components
The 2011-2012 vaccine provides protection against A/H1N1 (pandemic) influenza and two other influenza viruses: influenza A/H1N2 and influenza B.
New Vaccination Recommendations
CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides annual recommendations for the prevention and control of influenza. According to this Committee, routine influenza vaccination is now recommended for all persons aged >6 months. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get their yearly flu vaccine as soon as vaccines become available in their community.
All children, aged 6 months - 8 years, who receive seasonal flu vaccine for the first time should receive 2 doses. For the 2010-11 influenza season, children aged 6 months - 8 years who did not receive at least 1 dose of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine should receive 2 doses of the 2010-11 influenza seasonal vaccine, regardless of previous vaccination history.
Persons at Risk for Medical Complications
Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for the following persons, who are at increased risk for severe complications from influenza, or at higher risk for influenza-related outpatient, ED, or hospital visits:
- all children aged 6 months-4 years (59 months);
- all persons aged ≥50 years;
- children and adolescents (aged 6 months-18 years) who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and who might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection;
- women who will be pregnant during the influenza season;
- adults and children who have chronic pulmonary (including asthma) or cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurological/neuromuscular, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus);
- adults and children who have immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV); and residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
Dates by Town
For more address and directions please click the events location links. If you have question or need more information, please call us at (203) 264-9616.
