The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) is urging employers to offer additional H1N1 vaccination opportunities for Rhode Islanders in the coming weeks. The Department has set a goal of vaccinating 500,000 Rhode Islanders by Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2010).
“This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, and we are asking Rhode Island’s employers to join our efforts to vaccinate as many Rhode Islanders as possible by Valentine’s Day,” said Director of Health David R. Gifford, MD, MPH. “The recent drop in statewide flu activity gives us a window of opportunity to prevent a third wave of H1N1 flu this spring. We need help from all of our partners to reach all Rhode Islanders, especially the elderly or adults with chronic health conditions.”
Director of Elderly Affairs Corinne Calise-Russo added, “While people age 65 and older were not initially prioritized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to receive the H1N1 vaccine, the elderly are still at risk for developing serious flu-related complications, as we are seeing in other states. They should take advantage of the opportunities now available for Rhode Island seniors to get vaccinated for free.”
Some employers have already committed to hosting a vaccination clinic for their employees. “We want to keep our employees healthy this winter,” said Hasbro Chairman Al Verrecchia. “Organizing an H1N1 vaccination clinic for employees was simple. Our employees will be protected and as a company, we hope this will decrease employee absenteeism due to H1N1 illness.”
Several mass immunizers have enrolled in the H1N1 vaccination program and can work with community-based organizations and employers to hold clinics. Any agency or employer interested in hosting an H1N1 clinic should contact HEALTH or a mass immunizer. To download a list of mass immunizers, visit http://www.health.ri.gov/news/H1N1Advisories/ContactInformationForMassImmunizers.pdf . HEALTH has also sent an electronic tool kit to businesses and organizations that includes information on organizing a clinic. To download tool kit materials, visit http://www.health.ri.gov/news/H1N1Advisories/H1N1VaccinationClinicMaterials.pdf.
In coordination with municipal partners, HEALTH will hold free public vaccination clinics beginning January 16 for anyone age 18 or older. No appointments are necessary and no health insurance cards are necessary. For more information or to view a regularly updated schedule of public clinics, visit http://www.health.ri.gov/flu/about/freepublich1n1clinics/index.php.
The H1N1 vaccine is also available at retail stores, pharmacies, and urgent care centers, though individuals or their insurers may be charged an administrative fee to receive vaccine at these locations. Rhode Islanders can use the Flu Vaccine Locator tool on HEALTH’s website to find the most up-to-date information about local vaccine availability. Community agencies and employers who decide to hold a clinic for the general public can submit clinic dates and locations to HEALTH for inclusion on the Flu Vaccine Locator. To submit public clinic information for the Flu Clinic Locator, complete and return the form at http://www.health.ri.gov/flu/about/newclinicregistration/.
For more information, contact HEALTH’s H1N1 Information Line at 401.222.8022/RI Relay 711.