Larchmont Flu Clinic Resumes: Pre-Registration Required

UPDATE: Nov 16: NO MORE ROOM AT FLU CLINIC

(November 16, 2004) The Town of Mamaroneck received over 150 calls in the first two days of the registration period. No more reservations are being taken at this time for the Dec 14 clinic.

by Judy Silberstein

(November 8, 2004) The good news on the flu: Westchester County Department of Health announced Monday, November 8 that it has a new shipment of flu vaccine. For Larchmont, that means the local clinic will be held, although pre-registration will be required. The less good news: there may not be enough for everyone who wants a shot to get one.

The county now has 5,300 doses of flu vaccine. That’s enough to resume the community immunization clinics that were suspended at the end of October when a British-based factory responsible for supplying approximately half of the American supply was forced to close because of possible contamination. It’s also enough to supply 1,500 doses to county hospitals, and to reserve 500 doses to be used in the event of an influenza outbreak. “We’re so happy to see vaccine coming into the community and out to the senior centers,” said Mary Landrigan, spokesperson for the health department.

The new date for the Larchmont clinic is Tuesday, December 14 from 1 to 3 pm at the Senior Center on 119 Larchmont Avenue (behind the library). “Anyone interested in receiving a flu shot must pre-register by calling the (Town of Mamaroneck) Community Services office at 381-7840 beginning on Monday, November 15 between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm,” and continuing until Friday, December 3 said Anna Danoy, who heads community services.

The following individuals will receive priority in scheduling:

1. Senior citizens age 65 and over – you must provide identification
2. Individuals 18 to 64 who have a chronic health condition –you must provide a prescription from your doctor
3. Pregnant women – you must provide a prescription from their doctor
4. Health care workers – you must provide proof of employment in health-related field
5. All others will be considered based on available vaccine.

Ms. Danoy will take names, contact information and time of request for all who call, including those without priority. Once all priority requests are accommodated, if there is additional vaccine, her office will call those on the list and offer an appointment.

Vaccine supply continues to be tight throughout the country and the county. County flu clinics outside of Larchmont will only be open to those who had an appointment before the program was suspended in late October. Those without appointments will have to wait longer to see if additional supplies show up.

“The amount of vaccine that has become available is less than Westchester County had originally thought it was getting – due to the nationwide shortage,” said Ms. Landrigan. ”We remain hopeful that additional vaccine will eventually come into Westchester,” she added.

To find out if new additional appointments have become available, residents should check online at www.westchestergov.health, or call the 24-hour Flu Information Line at 813-5609. The taped message will be available “24/7”, and there will also be a staff of ten “live people” available during normal business hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Since the vaccine shortage first became known, the health department has logged in over 13,000 calls, so additional personnel has been deployed to answer questions.

For those with Medicare Part B or Aetna US Healthcare Medicare coverage, there is no charge for the flu vaccine given at the county clinics. For others, the cost of the flu vaccine is $15. The pneumococcal vaccine, aimed at fending off pneumonia in older adults, will be available at the county clinics to eligible residents at a cost of $20 per shot.

The county is continuing to urge all residents to practice the “4 C’s”, avoid contact with the sick, contain illness (by staying home if you’re sick), cover your nose or mouth when you cough or sneeze, and clean your hands often in hot soapy water. Whether you get a shot or not, and whether you get the flu or not, by practicing the 4 C’s, you can help prevent the spread of disease.