Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that vaccination clinics for the H1N1 virus – the so-called swine flu – are getting underway in Connecticut and more are expected to be scheduled over the next several weeks as shipments of the vaccine continue to arrive in the state.

“These clinics are a great sign that the campaign to begin vaccinating Connecticut’s residents from H1N1 flu is off the ground,” the Governor said during a stop at a clinic for toddlers in Old Saybrook today.  “We expect to see many more clinics around the state as shipments continue to come in to doctors and other health care providers. It is critical that those most at risk are given priority for the initial doses.”

The state Department of Public Health (DPH) says that the state has already  received more than 83,000 doses of intranasal and injectable vaccines. Orders for the next shipment of vaccine are being placed and will include more intranasal vaccine.

The Old Saybrook Clinic, sponsored by the Connecticut River Area Health District, was by appointment only and targeted children between the ages of 2 and 4 years old, household contacts of children under the age of 6 months, and emergency and medical service and healthcare personnel with direct patient care.

The health district serves residents of the towns of Clinton, Chester, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Old Saybrook and Westbrook and used the intranasal, or nasal spray, form of the H1N1 flu vaccine.  The intranasal vaccine has received federal approval for use in healthy persons 2-49 years of age, who are not pregnant. 

The state expects to receive several thousand more doses of vaccine in weekly shipments.  Shipment quantities may vary depending on the vaccine manufactures’ supply.  As more vaccine is received, it will first be made available to those who are at greatest risk due to complications of H1N1 influenza:  pregnant women, caregivers of children younger than age of six months, health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children aged six months to four years and children aged 5 to 18 with chronic medical conditions.

            “People who belong to these priority groups should contact their healthcare provider or local health department for more information,” DPH Commissioner Dr. J. Robert Galvin said.  “The vaccine is just now beginning to arrive into the state and we expect to receive more every week.  People may need to be patient and persistent to get the vaccine in these early rounds of vaccine supply.” 

Providers who have not pre-registered with the Department of Public Health and who are interested in receiving the H1N1 vaccine may still pre-register with the department.  Information on pre-registering for the vaccine is available online at www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch/providers or by calling (860) 509-7929.

A public hotline for H1N1, staffed by representatives from DPH, is also available for people with questions about H1N1 flu or the H1N1 vaccine.  The number for the H1N1 Hotline is: 800-830-9426.  The public can call the hotline Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The H1N1 vaccine is only effective against the H1N1 virus and does not protect against seasonal influenza.  Public health officials also encourage Connecticut residents to get their seasonal flu vaccination, as well as the H1N1 vaccination. 

            For more information on the H1N1 virus or the seasonal flu in Connecticut visit: http://www.ct.gov/ctfluwatch