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

Westport physician and author Dr. Robert A. Levine told the Westport Rotary Club today that the biggest obstacle to health care reform is the public is unaware of the magnitude of the crisis and the imperative to reform.  He said if he had his way he would make three things happen—“create a single payer system, create an independent monitoring group, and put all doctors on salary.”  Levine is the author of “Shock Therapy – for the American Health Care System” and is a neurology specialist in private practice. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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