Dates added for H1N1 vaccines

Arthur Gianelli, president and CEO of the NuHealth System, announced more dates for the H1N1 free vaccination program for priority groups recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, scheduled in partnership with the Nassau County Department of Health and the North Shore-LIJ Health System.

The Vaccination Point of Dispensing Clinics are to be held at the Nassau University Medical Center auditorium in East Meadow and the A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility auditorium in Uniondale.

Nassau University Medical Center

Dec. 3,  Dec. 10, Dec. 16 from 6  to 10 p.m.

A. Holly Patterson
Dec. 1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15 from 6 to 10 p.m.
 
Appointments are not required, but note that only those priority groups recommended by the Center for Disease Control will be provided with the H1N1 vaccine.
   
The priority groups include:
   
- Pregnant women. Health officials say 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.
   
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel: 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.
  
- Children from 6 months through 18 years of age:  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.

 - Young adults 19 through 24 years of age: 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 are frequently mobile.

 - Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

NUMC is located at 2201 Hempstead Turnpike in East Meadow and AHP is located on 875 Jerusalem Avenue, Uniondale.