Danbury’s VNA offers free H1N1 vaccine
Though cases of the swine flu have begun to decline, the flu season is not yet over. Those
interested in getting the H1N1 vaccine can do so at Danbury’s Visiting Nurses Association, and those without insurance will be vaccinated free of charge. Vaccinations will be available every Thursday by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call (203)792-4120. Those who are allergic to eggs should not get the vaccination as the cultures are grown and incubated in eggs.
Vaccine shortages have been high for both the regular seasonal flu and the H1N1 variety this year. VNA Immunization Manager Irene Litwak explained in a phone interview that in the beginning of the season, they used a tiered approach in offering the vaccination, first giving it to those most at risk: pregnant women and children, then to young adults and adults with medical issues. The vaccine became available to everyone in December.
“There is plenty for everyone,” Litwak said. “And if you don’t have insurance, it’s free.”
Litwak explained that the shortages were a result of medical officials being blindsided by the H1N1 virus in September. Prior to each flu season, the World Health Organization meets to decide which strains to include in the seasonal flu vaccine. This season’s strains had been selected and were already being manufactured when the first waves of H1N1 hit, so production of the seasonal flu vaccine was halted in order to focus on the H1N1 strain. This resulted in shortages of both vaccines, though the process of creating a vaccine is in itself a lengthy one: the strains are decided, the vaccine is grown and incubated, the FDA approves each lot and then, finally, it is distributed.
According to statistics provided by Litwak, the swine flu has infected 80 million people causing 16,000 deaths and 36,000 hospitalizations nationally over the past year. The VNA saw a large participation from the local Brazilian community in the early tiers of their flu program, likely due to the devastating number of deaths from the flu in Brazil. According to FluCount.org, Brazil’s death toll from H1N1 stands at 2,105 as of January 28.
Those at the highest risk for infection are children, pregnant women, asthmatics, diabetics and those with heart problems and other health issues. Children who are younger than ten need two doses to get full protection.
“H1N1 was a big concern because very young people were affected,” said Litwak. “There were many hospitalizations of young people. This was not the case for the seasonal flu.”
Litwak emphasized that there are risks and benefits with every type of vaccine, “People are given information on the vaccine and we encourage them to read it. It’s a decision every person has to make for themselves.” According to Litwak, studies have shown that the risks for the H1N1 vaccine are not substantially different from any other seasonal flu vaccine.
When might the flu season be over? “That’s the million dollar question,” Litwak said. “It varies from year to year. The seasonal flu usually starts in January and peaks in February. H1N1 came in September, which was really, really early. It finally went down in December, but there could be a third wave. The seasonal flu has not really shown its face yet; it might come, it might not.”
Other ways to protect against the flu include cleanliness and isolating those who are sick. “Wash your hands and keep them away from your eyes, nose and mouth,” Litwak recommended. “Stay away from people who are sick, and if you are sick, stay home.”
The Danbury VNA has been in service for over 100 years, providing inhome nursing and public health services through programs such as their flu vaccination and Wellness on Wheels, which offers physicals and vaccinations to those without insurance.
The office is located at 4 Liberty Street, and their phone number is (203)792-4120.
