New Coalition Gears Up For Flu Season

DANBURY — The newly formed Danbury Flu Coalition met recently to develop a collaborative effort of education, outreach, data collection, and up-to-date information for the region’s health care community for the upcoming flu season.

Funded through a grant from the Savings Bank of Danbury Foundation, the coalition was organized to improve accessibility of flu vaccine to area residents. The committee is collaborating with key community leaders to ensure that all community residents in need of the vaccine, including the elderly, high-risk individuals, homebound high-risk individuals, and the underserved, will be immunized.

Spearheading this effort is the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) Mobile Health Clinic, a community health program of the Danbury Visiting Nurse Association and the major provider of immunizations in the greater Danbury area.

According to Irene Litwak, manager of WOW, shortages of vaccine the past two years caused great concern among the public.

“While there is every indication that at the present time there will be an adequate supply of vaccine, should shortages occur, the coalition will be prepared to keep the public advised as to where and when they can receive the vaccine and to immunize residents who are in the high risk categories,” Ms Litwak said.

Members of the coalition include Jack Fong, MD, WOW van medical director; Irene Litwak, WOW manager; Fran Hendrickson, Danbury Senior Center coordinator; Thomas Draper, MD, medical director of the Danbury Health Department; Robert Mascia, MD: Maria-Cinta Lowe, director of the Hispanic Center in Danbury; Larry Wright, president of the Rotary Club of Danbury Sunrise; Brian Carney, chief financial officer of the Danbury VNA, and Ann Faraguna, Danbury VNA executive director.

To schedule a flu clinic call Ms Litwak at 730-5240.