November 16, 2009

Suozzi Announces Nassau County Department of Health to Partner With North Shore-LIJ and

Nassau University Medical Center to Offer

H1N1 Flu Vaccine Free of Cost

Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi announced today that Nassau County Department of Health has partnered with the North Shore-LIJ Health System and Nassau University Medical Center to create H1N1 Vaccination Point of Dispensing Clinics (POD).

The goal of these Vaccination PODs is to create sustainable vaccination sites over a 16-week period and begin vaccinating residents in the priority groups recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza.  Over the next few weeks, Nassau County Department of Health expects to receive additional shipments of vaccine and will broaden these vaccination sites with North Shore-LIJ and Nassau University Medical Center. 

The following PODs have been scheduled:

Tuesday, November 17 - Nassau University Medical Center’s Auditorium, 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, East Meadow, 6 pm – 10 pm. No appointment needed.

Wednesday, November 18 - Nassau University Medical Center’s A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility’s Auditorium, 875 Jerusalem Avenue, Uniondale, 6 pm – 10 pm.  No appointment needed.

Sunday, November 22 -  North Shore-LIJ at Clinton Martin Park, 1650 Marcus Avenue, New Hyde Park, 9 am – 1 pm. No appointment needed.

The priority groups recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine include:

• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by “cocooning” them from the virus;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

Residents who would like additional information on vaccination locations and are in one of the priority groups may call the Nassau County Department of Health H1N1 Call Center, Monday through Friday, 9 am – 4 pm at 1.888.684.4271 or visit the Health Department website at http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Health/index.html