Move Will Likely Prevent Clinic From Dispensing Remaining Flu Shots

By John Voket

The relocation of Health District offices and the public health clinic at Kevin’s Community Center next weekend will likely interrupt one of the few remaining opportunities to dispense Newtown’s remaining cache of flu shots. On Wednesday afternoon at about 3:30 pm, Health Director Donna Culbert noticed a fax had arrived from the State Health Department.

That fax contained an announcement that any remaining influenza vaccines being stored by physicians and public health clinics could be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to any state resident until supplies are exhausted.

But the information came a few hours too late for public health officials to get the word out to town residents who may have been waiting since last fall for one of the vaccines. The bad timing was compounded by the fact that Kevin’s Community Center and the Health District offices will be all packed up and in the process of relocating to the new town offices on Peck’s Lane next Wednesday when the clinic could potentially be open for flu vaccines.

Ms Culbert said she would try to find a way to make the remaining vaccines accessible, but admitted her hands were tied by the moving schedule, which is being coordinated by a commercial moving company and the town’s building management firm of DeMarco, Miles and Murphy.

“I’ll make a few calls, but it looks like we’ll have to wait until February to finish giving out the shots,” Ms Culbert said.

On Wednesday Connecticut health officials announced they had lifted all restrictions on those who are eligible for the flu vaccine. The state, concerned about a shortage of the vaccine a few months ago, had previously restricted the shots only to people over 65 and those most at risk to contract the virus.

Last month, the Department of Public Health said eased the restrictions, saying that people over the age of 50, caregivers, and household contacts of at-risk individuals may receive the vaccine.

Today, health officials say that most of the high-risk people have been vaccinated, clearing the way to allow any Connecticut resident to get a flu shot.

In recent weeks, as restrictions for those needing the vaccine were eased, Newtown’s Health Director had been steadily dispensing flu shots that were stockpiled from several partial orders and a supply provided through the regional Visiting Nurses Association. But as of this week, several dozen shots were still available.