Hundreds of parents pre-registered their children to get the swine flu vaccine at Thursday’s clinic held at the Middletown Municipal Building.
“I’ve just heard so much about the vaccine being helpful, just in calming the actual reaction to the flu, so if they get the flu, they won’t get as bad of symptoms, so I figured let’s give it a go,” said Maggie Torrison, of Durham.
The Middletown Health Department had 650 doses to give out to children, ages 2 to 24, and people between the ages of 25 and 49, who are caregivers to infants under 6 months. Also eligible are heath care and emergency medical workers. The clinic is restricted to those who live in Cromwell, Durham, Haddam, Middlefield and Middletown.
Parents from those towns said that with the swine flu virus contributing to the recent closing of Keigwin Middle School and St. John’s School in Middletown, they didn’t want to take any chances.
“I’ve never even gotten these guys the flu shot before, but with the schools closing, I figured this is probably something worth preventing,” said Amy Pitruzzello, of Middlefield.
Students, who have seen what the illness can do first hand, also wanted to ensure that they were vaccinated.
“It’s spreading around Middletown really fast, so it’s good to get it,” said Taylor McPherson, a freshman at Middletown High School.
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Middletown Mayor Sebastian Giuliano also said the more students who are vaccinated, the better it is for the schools.
“You don’t want to have to close schools down because it messes things up for everybody. This is so much easier if you get the vaccine,” said Giuliano.
The Middletown Health Department is holding another swine flu clinic on Thursday, Nov. 5. It will be held from noon to 8 p.m. at the Cow Palace on the lower Durham Fairgrounds.
The clinic will have the same requirements as the one in Middletown, but will also include individuals with long-term medical problems and pregnant women, as long as they have written approval from their doctors. To receive more information or to make an appointment for the Nov. 5 clinic at the lower Durham Fairgrounds, call 860-343-6732.
The Milford Health Department also held a swine flu clinic on Thursday, where they gave out about 260 doses.
"The public has been great. ... We've been doing appointments and they've been coming in on time, and we've been able to get them out very quickly," said Dr. A. Dennis McBride, Milford's Health Director.
The shots were given out to pregnant women, caregivers for infants under six months, and children under the age of 19 with medical conditions. Grace Bennett, 6, got hers because she has asthma and her parents wanted to ensure that she didn't get sick.
"They did my duck first, and then my stuffed animal first, and then me," she said.
"It scares you a little bit, so you want to make sure you're prepared," her dad, Dave Bennett, said.
Milford will hold another swine flu clinic on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Milford Health Department. Vaccinations will be given by appointment only. To make one there, call the H1N1 clinic appointment line at 203-783-4813.
UPCOMING CLINICS:
Durham: Thursday, Nov. 5, noon to 8 p.m. at the Cow Palace on the lower Durham Fairgrounds. For more information, or to make an appointment, call 860-343-6732.
Milford: Thursday, Nov. 5, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Milford Health Department. Vaccinations will be given by appointment only. Call 203-783-4813.
