Bureau of Health plans flu shot clinic

BANGOR – Dr. Lani Graham, acting director of the Department of Health and Human Service’s Bureau of Health, announced that additional groups of high-risk individuals should now receive flu vaccine.

A flu vaccine clinic will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 28-29, at the Department Health and Human Services, 396 Griffin Road. To schedule an appointment, call (888) 257-0990 between 8 and 11 a.m., or between 1 and 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23.

The announcement was made after the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended expanding the high-risk groups to be vaccinated against influenza to all persons over the age of 50 and to persons who are caregivers for those in the high-risk groups. Maine is prepared to move forward and serve these additional groups now based on its tracking of vaccine availability at the local level. The committee said that some states may not be ready to move forward until after Jan. 3.

Due to the efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and Aventis Pasteur, the Bureau of Health has now received and distributed about 160,000 doses of flu vaccine. The Bureau of Health has expanded its list of those eligible to receive the flu vaccine:

. Those age 50 or older.

. Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season.

. Those with chronic medical conditions.

. Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

. Children age 6 months to 23 months old.

. Health care workers involved in direct patient care.

. Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months of age, and other persons at high risk.

Dr. Graham encouraged those seeking flu vaccination to contact their health care provider or to attend one of the scheduled clinics.

Information is posted at www.mainepublichealth.gov, and is available by calling the Maine flu vaccine hot line at (888) 257-0990. The hot line will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 23.