Township eyes vaccines for at-risk residents.
By: Lea Kahn
A lottery for flu vaccinations is being set up by the
Lawrence Township Health Department to ensure township residents at high
risk will receive a flu shot, in the wake of a shortage of the flu
vaccine.
There will be four opportunities to sign up for the
lottery, said township Health Officer Carol Chamberlain. The dates to
receive the flu shots have not been determined, because township officials
do not know when they will receive the vaccine.
Two of the four opportunities are set for Thursday, Nov.
4, Ms. Chamberlain said. A morning session, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will be
held at the Municipal Building. An afternoon session, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.,
will be held at the Lawrence Senior Center on Darrah Lane.
Another sign-up session has been set for Saturday, Nov. 6,
from 9 a.m. to noon at the Municipal Building. The final lottery sign-up
session has been set for Wednesday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the
Municipal Building.
Eligible high-risk persons include those who are 65 years
or older, who have a chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney
disease, cancer or who have a weakened immune system, children from 6 months
to 23 months, and persons who are on long-term aspirin therapy, Ms.
Chamberlain said.
To sign up, persons must bring proof that they live in
Lawrence Township and that they meet the age requirements. Persons with a
chronic illness must bring a doctor’s prescription, indicating that they are
eligible, Ms. Chamberlain said.
Persons who have been chosen by the lottery to receive a
flu shot will be notified of the date and time by mail, Ms. Chamberlain
said. Persons who have not been selected also will be notified. They will be
informed of their place on the waiting list, if additional vaccine becomes
available, she said.
The Health Department was slated to receive doses of the
flu vaccine, but it was notified earlier this month that Chiron, the
manufacturer of the Fluvirin flu vaccine, would not be able to supply it for
the 2004-05 influenza season because of manufacturing problems. It’s license
was revoked by the British regulators.
As a result, Aventis, the remaining manufacturer of flu
vaccine, has placed the township’s flu vaccine order on a waiting list.
Because of the demand for the vaccine, Aventis cannot guarantee a shipping
date. That’s why the previously scheduled clinic dates have been postponed
until further notice.
People are reminded of additional actions to take to
reduce the spread of flu and to prevent illness. People are reminded to stay
home when they are sick and urged to remember good hygiene habits, including
covering their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and washing their
hands frequently.
For more information on the lottery, persons may call the
Lawrence Township Health Department at (609) 844-7093 around the clock. They
also may check the Lawrence Township Web site at www.lawrencetwp.com.