The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) is planning to hold an H1N1 vaccination clinic for Rhode Islanders who attend out-of-state colleges and universities. In order to plan for such a clinic and estimate the number of students who would be eligible, HEALTH is asking interested students to pre-register online for the clinic by 4:00 p.m. on December 11, 2009. While an exact date and location for the clinic have not been confirmed, the date will fall somewhere between December 21, 2009 and January 8, 2010 to coincide with most students’ winter break. Beginning today, students can pre-register on HEALTH’s Web site at www.health.ri.gov. Only students who have pre-registered will be able to attend the clinic. They will be notified by email with clinic details as they become available.
“Estimating the number of students who will need to be vaccinated over the winter break is difficult because many students have already been vaccinated at their colleges and universities,” said Director of Health, David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. “This pre-registration will allow HEALTH to plan for the required amount of vaccine and staff to run a clinic. Our goal is to ensure that all college and university students have had an opportunity to be vaccinated before they travel back to schools and their congregate living situations.”
Only students through age 24 who are Rhode Island residents but attend a college or university in another state will be eligible for vaccination at this clinic. Adults through age 24 who are not enrolled in college will have an opportunity to be vaccinated at a later date.
For additional information or questions please contact HEALTH’s H1N1 Information Line at (401) 222-8022.