Westfield Health Dept. Offers H1N1 Vaccinations Today

Vaccinations are available until 5:30

The Westfield Regional Health Department on 425 East Broad Street in Westfield is offering free H1N1 vaccines to anyone who wants them today until 5:30 pm.  The regional health department, which covers several area municipalities, including Springfield, offered several H1N1 vaccination sessions in November. Over 1,200 people received the vaccine at a clinic at Westfield high school held last month. Health officials warn that people allergic to eggs or who have egg sensitivities should not receive the vaccine; the health department warns such people may become sick with fever.

Long Lines Last Night for H1N1 Vaccine in Summit

The elderly, pregnant women and infants were targeted for the vaccine.

Several hundred people lined up last night outside Summit High School for H1N1 vaccines that were distributed to the elderly, pregnant women and children ages 6 to 24 months. Parking anywhere near Summit High School was severely limited between 5 and 8 pm when the vaccine was administered. Summit Police was on hand to direct pedestrians trying to navigate the immediate area. The line, which wrapped from the gym entrance around to the front of the school on Kent Place Blvd., was estimated to be an hour long. Most in line had young children. The clinic was sponsored by the Westfield Regional Health Department, which serves Springfield and seven other communities in Union County. Check back for updates on how many vaccines were distributed.

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H1N1 Clinic Vaccinates Over 1200 People

Health Department reports no problems in running of clinic.

The Westfield Regional Health Department, which covers Springfield and other towns, vaccinated 1,251 people during the H1N1 vaccination clinic Tuesday night at the high school. In contrast to a seasonal flu clinic in Garwood which was overrun with more individuals than vaccine with chaos occurring amongst those waiting in line, the clinic moved smoothly with waits of 45 minutes occurring in the most extreme cases. Health Officer Megan Avallone said the department succeeded in providing a smooth running clinic. "To give that many vaccines in over an hour is phenomenal," Avallone said an hour into the clinic when 750 people had moved through the line. "It's going extremely well." The clinic featured nasal versions of the vaccine, a live …

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Seasonal Flu Clinics Had Larger Than Expected Crowds

Looks to use lessons for H1N1 clinics.

The crowd extended down South Avenue, getting antsy with each waking moment, hoping to get in, to be one of those who could get what they came for. This was not a sale at a popular new store, but rather October's season flu clinic in Garwood. Health Officer Megan Avallone said the clinic is an example of what seasonal flu clinics have been like. She hopes the H1N1 clinics starting Tuesda will not be like that. With panic over the H1N1 flu, Avallone said more residents have been flooding seasonal flu clinics, more than doses are available, in order to obtain any type of vaccination. In 2008, the Garwood clinic had 150 people show up, with more than enough vaccine to go around. Last month, the small borough's clinic, open to anyone in the …

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Health Officer Warns of Risks of Receiving H1N1 Vaccine Outside of Targeted Population

Avallone urges residents to only receive vaccine if they are in the targeted population.

Health Officer Megan Avallone is offering a stark warning to residents who are not in the targeted population for the H1N1 vaccine who choose to receive it during next Tuesday's vaccination clinic: receive it and someone in the targeted population could die. With a shortage of H1N1 vaccine produced, the federal government has set strict target populations for who should receive the vaccine first. While the federal government is promising to produce enough vaccine for those who want it, that could be a few months off, leaving the target population the most at risk. Currently the federal government said the vaccine should go to pregnant women, all individuals between the ages of six months and 24 years, those between 25 years old and 64 …

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Health Department Plans H1N1 Meeting for Mayors

Monday night meeting to bring mayors and health boards up to speed on issues.

The Westfield Regional Health Department, which provides health services to Springfield and other local towns, is planning a meeting Monday night for mayors and Boards of Health in the department's coverage area regarding the H1N1 flu. The department plans on holding the meetings to bring the mayors and public health officials up to speed on the department's planning for the flu vaccine and to help prep for future public health issues in the region. Jubb Corbett, the vice president of the Westfield Board of Health, said the meeting is to let the mayors know what is planned. He noted that with the variety of misinformation traveling around about H1N1 and the vaccine it is important to let the mayors know first hand what is planned by the …

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