Suffolk County Officials Respond to Harvard Poll Examining Public Response to H1N1 Immunizations

Health Officials Assure Safety of Vaccine

Hauppauge , NY – In response to a poll released yesterday by the Harvard School Public Health (HSPC), County Executive Steve Levy and Acting Commissioner of Health Services Linda Mermelstein, MD, MPH, are urging residents who have not obtained their H1N1 immunizations to make every effort in the coming weeks to go out and get the vaccination.

The HSPC poll findings indicated that more than one third of parents do not intend to have their children receive the immunization and that more than half of adults do not intend to receive the immunization. The poll, which examines the American public's response to the distribution of H1N1 vaccines, was conducted on December 16^th and 17^th.

“All of our medical professionals insist that immunization risks are extremely low and are greatly outweighed by the dangers associated with contracting this virulent flu,” said Levy.  “Immunization is the best protection we have against the flu.  Vaccine is now widely available from health care providers, hospitals, some schools and, of course, the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.”

Dr. Mermelstein emphasized that the H1N1 immunization is safe: “The H1N1 immunization is not making people sick, but the flu is,” she said, “and it is affecting younger people disproportionately. Most flu activity typically occurs from January through March and often continues through the spring. Now, before a new wave of flu activity begins, is the time for those who have not received immunization to obtain it.”

The HSPC poll findings also indicated that less than one quarter of adults prioritized to receive the H1N1 flu vaccine have thus far received it, including:  pregnant women; adults with chronic conditions that make them more vulnerable to flu complications; health and emergency personnel; adults who care for or live with children less than six months old; and young adults, ages 18 to 24.

H1N1 immunizations have been available to everyone in New YorkState since December 11, 2009. SuffolkCounty residents should first try to obtain H1N1 influenza vaccine from their own health care providers. Those who cannot obtain it from their providers can set up an appointment by calling to 631-787-2200 and askingto receive the vaccine through the Suffolk County Department of Health Services at one of the following locations.

Monday, December 28 - Hauppauge
Wednesday, December 30 - Hauppauge
Monday, January 4 - Hauppauge
Wednesday, January 6 - Greenport
Friday, January 8 - Smithtown

 Residents may also choose to attend one of the county’s no-appointment clinics as listed below .

Saturday, January 9, 2009 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

North Shore Library

250 Route 25A

Shoreham , NY

Lower Level Community Room

Monday, January 11, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Emergency Service Building

1 Cedar Street

East Hampton , NY

As more clinics are announced they will be listed on the SuffolkCounty website: http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/healthservices/H1N1.aspx

Residents with any questions about H1N1 influenza vaccine should contact their own health care providers and/or call the Suffolk County Department of Health Service’s H1N1 hotline at 631-787-2200, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.