Sarasota, FL: scgovHEALTHnews
Sarasota County Health Department Florida Department of Health
www.scgov.net
941.861.5000
Media contacts:
Dianne Shipley, 941-861-2852; cell 941-302-1058; Dianne_Shipley@doh.state.fl.us
Crystal Pruitt, 941-861-5900; cell 941-650-0695; cpruitt@scgov.net
Scott Ferguson, 941-927-9000, ext. 31148; Scott_Ferguson@sarasota.k12.fl.us
H1N1 flu vaccinations now available for all Sarasota County residents
The Sarasota County Health Department will offer free H1N1 flu vaccinations to the general public from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at the following locations:
- Sarasota County Health Department, 2200 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota
- Woodmere Community Park and Recreation Center, 3951 Woodmere Park Blvd., Venice
“We have served the at-risk population, and now, we’re prepared to provide the vaccine to the general population,” reports Chuck Henry, incident commander for the Sarasota County H1N1 response.
According to Henry, health officials will immunize as many people as possible during the two clinics Dec. 5. Both the H1N1 nasal mist, which is preservative-free, and an injectable vaccine of inactivated virus will be available.
The H1N1 (Swine) flu vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Each vaccine protects against a different virus. For adequate protection against all known circulating flu viruses, people are advised to get two vaccinations: one for seasonal flu and one for H1N1 flu. Similar to the seasonal influenza vaccine, most healthy adults who receive the H1N1 vaccine will have protection in eight to 10 days. People who receive the seasonal FluMist® nasal spray vaccine must wait at least 28 days before receiving the H1N1 FluMist® nasal spray vaccine.
Blank consent forms will be available at each location for those who do not download the vaccine consent form in advance. Those who do not have access to a computer can visit the health kiosks at any Sarasota County library. The Sarasota County Call Center has a TDD line, 941-861-1833, available for those who are hearing impaired.
For more details about Saturday’s vaccine clinics, including a fact sheet about the vaccine and instructions about vaccine consent forms, call 941-861-2800, or visit the Sarasota County Health Department’s Web site, www.sarasotahealth.org
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