kupchurch@heraldsun.com; 419-6612
DURHAM — Durham County Health Department officials have lifted restrictions on who can get H1N1 (swine) flu vaccinations.
Starting today, everyone except children under 6 months old can get the shots or nasal spray to protect them from the disease, which is still considered widespread in Durham County and throughout the state.
Until today, the vaccines were restricted to groups considered at higher risk for the disease. Now, those who want to be vaccinated can make an appointment at the Health Department, which will offer them from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at its 414 E. Main St. site.
To make an appointment, call the H1N1 vaccination line at (919) 560-7882.
And on Dec. 16, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the department will offer a walk-in clinic for the H1N1 vaccines to anyone except children under 6 months at the National Guard Armory at 801 Stadium Drive. No appointments will be taken. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Gayle Harris, director of the Durham County Health Department, said the decision to lift the restrictions was based on a recommendation from the state health director.
“We’ve been offering vaccines now since October, and even though we haven’t completely saturated those target [at-risk] populations, vaccines are flowing a little bit more freely,” Harris said. “And so we thought it was time to open it up.”
She recommends that everyone get the vaccine.
“H1N1 flu is still very widespread in Durham and in North Carolina in general,” she said. “And while things may quieten down for a short period of time, there still is the potential for [another] wave. And when you combine seasonal flu and H1N1, we could have some pretty sick individuals in the community.”
Harris said people should feel confident that the vaccine is safe and effective.
“There have been no major adverse reactions reported,” she said. “They’ve just been like soreness at the site, some redness, that kind of thing.”
“So, we’re still strongly encouraging folk with health conditions to think twice about deciding not to be vaccinated, because they’re still at risk. And the complications can be really devastating.”
For more information about the H1N1 vaccine or future clinics, visit the Durham County Health Department Web site by going to durhamcountync.gov and clicking on the flu page link at the top.
