Health Department plans swine flu vaccinations

Oct. 16, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The V.I. Health Department plans to conduct mass swine flu vaccination clinics across the territory Saturday, targeting the first round of vaccines at those whom federal health officials believe are at highest risk of complications from the disease.

According to a prepared statement Health released Thursday evening, the vaccines will be administered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the following locations:

- On St. Croix at the Community Health Clinic at Charles Harwood Medical Complex.

- On St. John at the Morris deCastro Clinic in Cruz Bay.

- On St. Thomas at the Health Department's Community Health Clinic in Schneider Regional Medical Center.

Because of limited doses of the swine flu vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that the first round of vaccines go to people who fall into these categories:

- Pregnant women.

- People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months.

- Health care and emergency medical services personnel who are directly involved in patient care.

- Children ages 6 months to 4 years.

- Children, ages 5 through 18, who have chronic medical conditions.

The swine flu vaccine comes in both nasal spray and injections and vaccination is voluntary, Health Commissioner Julia Sheen said in the release.

"It is important for residents to know that the seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against H1N1, so we recommend that they take both the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine," Health Commissioner Julia Sheen said in the release. The H1N1 is the virus that causes swine flu.

The swine flu vaccines for the priority groups will be administered again on the following dates:

- From 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 26, 2009, at the Sunshine Mall on St. Croix.

- From 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas.

- From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29 at St. Ursula's Senior Center on St. John.

Sheen said in the release that Health expects the swine flu will be made available in larger quantities so that more people can be vaccinated. The Health Department will notify the public on future swine flu vaccine site locations.

For more information call 773-1311, ext. 3240 or visit www.flu.gov.

Newstex ID: KRTB-1279-38916801