The following is information on the availability of regular seasonal flu shots: www.masspro.org – follow the link, enter your zip code and you will see a combination of clinics in any area. Any questions, please call the numbers provided. It may be advisable to get your flu shot wherever you can since demand is likely to be high. The supply of seasonal vaccine will be spread out over many months this year and interrupted for a while as the manufacturers switch to distributing the new vaccine for H1N1 likely in mid October. In Haverhill, the following clinics will be held at the Council on Aging Center at 10 Welcome Street. We do not believe there are any fees for these clinics and one does not have to live in Haverhill to attend these clinics. Health departments in most communities should be having flu clinics too. You are advised to call your local health department for further information or continue to check the masspro website above for updates. Tuesday Oct 6 1-6PM High risk groups which in a short summary include those over 50, pregnant during flu season, 6 mo to 18 year olds, caregivers of those under 5 and over 50, those with chronic medical conditions – includes lung and heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions that put one at risk (but not just high blood pressure), health care workers, students in dorms. Tuesday Oct 20 1-4PM All MA residents over age 9 who want to reduce their risk of seasonal flu are welcome Tuesday Oct 27 1-4PM All MA residents over age 9 who want to reduce their risk of seasonal flu are welcome For any further information on the Haverhill clinics, please call the public health nurse, Sue Najuch, at 978-374-2390. We are awaiting further information on the availability of H1N1 vaccine. We know that the following groups will be targeted first and they are slightly different from the usual high risk groups above and are based on the outcome of H1N1 so far: Pregnant women Persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months Health-care and emergency medical services personnel Children and young adults aged 6 months--24 years Persons aged 25--64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications As soon as we have information from our local health department, we will share information on H1N1 clinics. Please remember that seasonal flu does not start circulating until usually January or February, so there is plenty of time to get seasonal shots, but get them where you can, when you can. Most of the influenza that is circulating now is the new strain, H1N1, to which no one has immunity. So far, it is mild for the most part, and very little testing will be done as it is only done now when it will change the course of treatment. There is good information on the www.mass.gov/dph website about influenza. Also www.cdc.gov is a reliable source of influenza information. We are tracking influenza like illness here (ILI) and ask that if one is sick with cough or sore throat and fever above 100.4, to please remain home until one has no fever for 24 hours without medicines on board. As always, we cannot emphasize enough the immeasurable prevention that comes with frequent hand washing, turning off faucets with paper towels, and coughing into one’s sleeve or elbow. It really is the cool and fashionable thing to do now. If anyone has use for a five minute excellent DVD on cough etiquette, please stop by our office and we’ll be glad to share. It contains science principles and health education components and it’s humorous! Deborah DePaolo Principal