H1N1 Flu Update: City of Alexandria to Hold H1N1 Flu Vaccination Clinics

(via the City of Alexandria)

H1N1 vaccine is being made available to children in both public and private schools in Alexandria through the following mechanisms:

1. Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) have been signed between the Alexandria Health Department and the Alexandria City Public Schools and the Catholic Diocese for health department staff to assist in providing H1N1 vaccine in those schools. Other private schools in the city have been approached about also signing MOAs with the health department; the health department has been in contact with private schools in Alexandria a couple of time over the past 4 weeks to offer assistance if needed.
2. In both public and private schools, the youngest children will be vaccinated first. Starting today, children in K and 1^st grade will be vaccinated in a few public schools. We plan to schedule similar vaccination events for children in K and 1^st grade in the catholic schools next week, if we receive more vaccine. After vaccinating the youngest children, we will vaccinate older children, again in both public schools and those private schools with which we have MOAs.
3. Private providers are also receiving H1N1 vaccine, though so far only in limited supply. Private providers need to register with the Virginia Department of Health to receive and administer H1N1 vaccine. The focus is on providing vaccine to pediatricians, obstetricians, and primary care providers, and other providers caring for high risk populations. More vaccine is expected to be shipped to private providers next week. Parents should check with their pediatricians to request H1N1 vaccine once it is available.
4. The Alexandria Health Department will be having weekend vaccination events, starting on Saturday, October 31, contingent on receiving additional H1N1 vaccine. The Oct 31 event is planned for George Washington Middle School – information will be on the City of Alexandria web site concerning times and dates for weekend vaccination events. The plan is to have these vaccination events during weekends in November, assuming vaccine is available. The October 31 event will focus on vaccinating young children, especially pre-school children and others not receiving school based vaccination, and parents of young children, especially children under 6 months of age.
5. Pregnant women can call the Casey Health Center at 703-519-5979, extension 252, to make an appointment to receive H1N1 injectable vaccine, contingent on vaccine supply. Pregnant women cannot receive H1N1 nasal vaccine.
6. Early vaccine supplies have included a significant number of doses of nasal H1N1 vaccine. The health department is providing nasal H1N1 vaccine to children and parents of young children at the King Street site today, October 23, at 4480 King Street, until the supply of nasal H1N1 vaccine is gone. Nasal vaccine can be given to healthy children and adults between 2 and 49 years old who are not pregnant and do not have asthma.

Please follow the City of Alexandria website for the most up-to-date information on receiving H1N1 vaccine.