Oct. 2, 2009
We expected this was going to be a challenging flu season and so far, that’s exactly what it’s turning out to be. I am writing to provide you an important update about getting flu shots at Dick’s House and the availability of the H1N1 vaccine.
Despite ordering 1,000 more flu shots than usual this year in preparation for this year’s flu season, the demand for the shots at Dick’s House has exceeded our expectations. Providing health care services for the well-being of students is the number one priority at Dick’s House, so we’re asking Dartmouth employees who have made appointments to receive flu shots at Dick’s House to graciously cancel that appointment so we can continue to administer to the health and safety of students. In previous years we’ve been able to accommodate both students and staff for flu shots, but demand this year along with delays in delivery of the vaccine makes it difficult to accommodate employees.
Dartmouth employees should make appointments with either their primary care physician or attend any of the flu clinics being offered in the Upper Valley to receive the shots. Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center has regularly scheduled flu clinics; more information can be found on their website. Walgreen’s, Wal-Mart and CVS also offer flu clinics. We recommend you contact those outlets directly to find out dates, times and cost.
The State of New Hampshire is expected to issue the first round of the H1N1 vaccine to the Upper Valley area in the next 7 to 10 days. That first round will be made available for those in high risk groups, which includes emergency response personnel. Supplies of the H1N1 vaccine for the general populations should be here in mid-October to November. Employees with chronic illnesses should contact their primary care physician to arrange for an H1N1 vaccination shot when it becomes available.
The state is anticipating the need to set up vaccination clinics to handle H1N1 and is sending the appropriate equipment for that work. There is also a plan to use emergency medical technicians to administer vaccination shots, which means there should be plenty of people to administer the vaccine in our communities. Lastly, many towns in the Upper Valley are working on their vaccination clinic plans and we will post their plans on our emergency website once they are known.
I want to thank you all for your patience and generosity during these challenging times.
Respectfully,
Dr. Jack Turco
