Health and Fitness
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Scheduled Tuesday H1N1 Flu Clinic Canceled
UPDATE A scheduled H1N1 flu clinic at the Westport Weston Health District on Tuesday has been canceled because of a shortage of the vaccine, Mark A. R. Cooper, director of health, said today.
Lexi Eudowe, 3, of Westport started to get a bit apprehensive as the flu vaccination line moved forward at the Westport Weston Health District on Wednesday. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com
He said an “overwhelming turnout” by the public at the District’s Wednesday H1N1 flu clinic prompted the action.
The District went through more than 500 doses of the vaccine during the scheduled three-hour clinic that had to be extended 90 minutes because of the turnout, officials said.
The State of Connecticut has advised the District not to expect additional supplies for next 10 days, Cooper said.
More "Scheduled Tuesday H1N1 Flu Clinic Canceled"
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Lines Get Longer for H1N1 Flu Vaccine
Today’s Westport Weston Health District H1N1 flu vaccine clinic at its Bayberry Lane headquarters drew a crowd for the 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. event. The lines outside the District began to grow quickly as the walk-in clinic opening drew near. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) David Dreyfuss for WestportNow.com
H1N1 Flu Clinic Draws Crowds
Today’s H1N1 walk-in flu clinic at the Westport Weston Health District drew a large crowd. Many of them brought their own chairs to sit on in the brisk, autumn weather with temperatures in the upper 40s. Some arrived as early as 8 a.m. for the 3 p.m. start. The District said it would provide the vaccine to those eligible on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligibility requirements are posted on the District Web page. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) David Dreyfuss for WestportNow.com
Friday, October 30, 2009
Additional Flu Clinics Canceled as Vaccine Supply Exhausted
So many people turned out for Thursday’s seasonal flu vaccination clinic at the Westport Weston Health District that vaccine supplies have been exhausted and additional clinics canceled, a District official said today.
Lines formed early Thursday outside the Westport Weston Health District on Bayberry Lane for seasonal flu shots. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com
“The size of the turnout was unexpected,” said Ken Kellogg, director of emergency preparedness.
He said more than 100 persons were on line before the scheduled 1 p.m. start and by 2:10 p.m. it was clear there was not enough vaccine on hand and the clinic closed 50 minutes ahead of schedule.
“We no longer have sufficient vaccine to conduct walk-in clinics so we are canceling the walk-in clinics that were scheduled for Monday and Tuesday,” he said.
More "Additional Flu Clinics Canceled as Vaccine Supply Exhausted"
Monday, October 19, 2009
Health District Adds Additional Seasonal Flu Clinics
The Westport Weston Health District announced today it has scheduled additional seasonal flu vaccine clinics and urged residents of Westport and Weston to get immunized.
“While the H1N1 flu virus has been the focus of attention since spring, it is important that we do not forget the risks posed by the seasonal flu,” said Mark Cooper, director.
Every year, on average 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the seasonal flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications, and about 36,000 die from flu-related causes, the District said.
The seasonal flu shots will be available at the Westport Weston Health District on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 1-3 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 2, at 4-6:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 4-6:30 p.m.
More "Health District Adds Additional Seasonal Flu Clinics"
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
No Shortages of Seasonal Flu Vaccine
Mark Cooper, director of health for the Westport Weston Health District, today assured residents that despite reports of shortages of seasonal flu vaccine, the District still has seasonal flu vaccine available and strongly encourages the citizens of Westport and Weston to get immunized.
The vaccine for the regular seasonal flu and the novel H1N1 (Swine) flu are different. Both inoculations are needed for full protection, Cooper said.
“While the H1N1 flu virus has been the focus of attention since spring, it is important that we do not forget the risks posed by the seasonal flu,” he said.
Every year, on average 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the seasonal flu, Cooper said. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from complications, and about 36,000 die from flu related causes.
More "No Shortages of Seasonal Flu Vaccine"
Westport Health District Offers H1N1 Nasal Flu Vaccine
The Westport Weston Health District said today it has received a limited amount of live attenuated influenza vaccine.
“This is a thimerosal-free nasal spray indicated for healthy individuals ages 2 – 49 years of age who are not pregnant,” the District said in a news release. Thimerosal is used as a preservative in some vaccines.
It said at this time, use of this vaccine should be restricted to the following priority populations: children aged 2 – 4 year and those who live with or care for children less than 6 months of age.
The District asked residents if they think they are eligible, to call the District’s H1N1 hot line at (203)227-9571, ext. 228, and leave your name and the best telephone number where you can be reached.
More "Westport Health District Offers H1N1 Nasal Flu Vaccine"
Saturday, September 26, 2009
This Won’t Hurt
A resident gets a flu shot today at the Westport Weston Health District flu shot clinic. Shots for the H1N1 virus will be available in mid-October and health officials are recommending residents get both shots. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com
Getting Ready for Flu Season
Medical Reserve Corps volunteer Barbara Gross assisted Westporter Paul Harvey today through the process of getting his flu shot at the Westport Weston Health District flu shot clinic. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Flu Clinic Draws Hundreds
There was a line outside the Westport Weston Health District at 180 Bayberry Lane today as the district held its first public seasonal flu shot clinic. Several hundred received the shots in the first couple of hours. The next clinics will be held Tuesday at the Weston Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Oct. 6 at the Westport Public Library from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Oct. 7 at the Westport Center for Senior Activities from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The H1N1 vaccine will be available in mid-October but residents are urged to get a seasonal flu shot as well, according to Health Director Mark A. R. Cooper. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Health Officials Detail Readiness for H1N1 Flu Outbreak
Officials of the Westport Weston Health District said today that extensive plans have been made for a possible H1N1 flu outbreak in the area. Director Mark A. R. Cooper (r) and Ken Kellogg, director of emergency preparedness, briefed the Westport Rotary Club on how the District has been preparing for an outbreak. They said an H1N1 vaccine will be available in mid-October but urged residents meanwhile to get a seasonal flu shot. The first chance for residents to get the seasonal flu shot will be on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Westport Weston Health District, 180 Bayberry Lane. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Many Westporters at Himes Norwalk Health Care Meeting
By Larry Untermeyer
An opinionated and vociferous crowd of more than 1,000, including many Westporters, gathered in the Norwalk High School auditorium tonight to express their feelings, both for and against, proposed health care reform. 
A man gestures to the crowd tonight at a health care forum hosted by Congressman Jim Himes (rear) at Norwalk High School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Larry Untermeyer for WestportNow.com
The audience members were extremely vocal in stating their opinions, while Congressman Jim Himes (D-4) in a calm and dignified manner listened and responded to all who spoke. Tonight’s meeting was one of several that the congressman has held throughout his district.
Himes’s sedate manner contrasted sharply with the boisterous yelling of the apparently organized opponents of any form of health care reform, many of whom seemed unwilling to listen to any reasonable explanation of the proposals.
At times, the noise of the hecklers was so loud that the congressman could hardly be heard.
More "Many Westporters at Himes Norwalk Health Care Meeting"
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Himes Says Health Care Costs “Will Crush This Country”
In between area Town Hall-type meetings on health care reform, Congressman Jim Himes (D-4) addressed the Westport Rotary Club today on a number of issues, but with health care reform the focus of most interest. The freshman congressman said the one thing most people agree on is that the present system is unacceptable. If it is not changed, he said, “health care cost inflation will crush this country.” Himes said the proposed health care bill creates more competition in the marketplace but lamented what he said was a deficiency in that it does not encourage people to be healthy. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Monday, August 24, 2009
Westport, Weston, Wilton Join in H1N1 Task Force
The towns of Westport, Weston, and Wilton, acting with the Westport Weston Health District, have formed an H1N1 Task Force to deal with issues related to a possible H1N1 outbreak, Health District Director Mark A. R. Cooper announced today.
Mark A. R. Cooper: “Doing all that is possible…”. File photo
He said details of the work of the group will be announced Tuesday at a news conference involving municipal leaders, as well as school and public health officials of the three towns.
“We are working together to do all that is possible to prepare for the uncertain flu season ahead of us and to make sure our citizens understand how best to minimize the spread of influenza in our schools and communities,” Cooper said.
He said the towns of Westport, Weston and Wilton have reviewed and are prepared to implement their Public Health Preparedness and Response Plan should the severity of the H1N1 flu increase in the coming weeks or months.
More "Westport, Weston, Wilton Join in H1N1 Task Force"
Health District Sets Seasonal Flu Clinics
The Westport Weston Health District today announced the dates of its seasonal flu clinics and said it is important that Westporters get seasonal flu shots in addition to possible H1N1 flu shots.
“While the H1N1 influenza virus has been the focus of attention since the spring, it is important that we do not forget the risks posed by seasonal influenza viruses,” the District said in a news release.
It said every year in the United States, on average 5 percent to 20 percent of the population gets the flu; more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from flu-related causes.
Older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious complications from seasonal influenza, the District said.
Note: WestportNow Publisher Gordon F. Joseloff is also First Selectman of Westport