For Immediate Release:
January 28, 2010

Southcoast announces public H1N1 flu vaccine clinics

Vaccination is open to the public; College students urged to attend

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group will be hosting free public H1N1 flu vaccination clinics in Fall River and New Bedford. College students are urged to attend the two clinics being held at Bristol Community College's Fall River campus. The following are the times and locations:

• Saturday, February 6, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Durfee High School in Fall River Operation Haiti fundraiser presented by New England's Portuguese-American community.

• Thursday, February 11, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Coastline Elderly, 1646 Purchase Street, New Bedford, Mass.

• Friday, February 26, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Bristol Community College Fall River campus, G building, 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Mass.

• Friday, March 5, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Bristol Community College Fall River campus, G building, 777 Elsbree Street, Fall River, Mass.

The Southcoast H1N1 flu vaccination clinics are open to all community members throughout the South Coast region. Vaccinations will be administered on a first come, first served basis. Participants are asked to bring health insurance cards, but it is not required. Interpreter services will be available.

The clinics are open to all individuals, but Southcoast further recommends that the following high priority groups attend:

• Under the age of 25 year old.
• Children 6 months to 18 years of age (Must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian).
• Children 9 years and under should receive two (2) doses of H1N1 vaccine. IMPORTANT: Any child who has received the first of their two doses MUST bring documentation of the first dose of vaccine to this clinic because U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recommends a 28-day interval between doses for maximum effectiveness.
• High-risk patients between the ages of 19 to 64 years old. High-risk means that you may have a chronic medical conditions such as:
  • Respiratory (including asthma and COPD).
  • Heart disease (except high blood pressure alone).
  • Kidney, liver, blood disorders, neurologic/neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders such as diabetes.
  • Immunosuppression (including that induced by medications, illness or by HIV).
• Women who are pregnant, up to two weeks post partum (including after pregnancy loss) and have not yet received H1N1 vaccine from their obstetrician.
• Household member or caregiver of infants younger than 6 months of age.
• Household member of pregnant women in their third trimester to ensure their newborns go home to a safe environment.

Please check with your physician if you have questions or concerns about receiving the H1N1 flu vaccine. Questions about the clinics at St. Luke's and Tobey hospitals can be directed to 508-961-5560. Questions about the clinic at Charlton Memorial Hospital can be directed to 508-679-3131 Ext. 2988.