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Over 2,000 flu vaccine shots available
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Posted on Dec 07 2006
Despite the “mild” flu season this year, the Department of Public Health will conduct a massive Flu Vaccine Drive that would provide at least 2,000 flu vaccine shots to CNMI community members.
In a briefing held yesterday, Health Secretary Joseph Kevin P. Villagomez said the Flu Vaccine Drive on Dec. 16 at the Garapan Elementary School is free and open to the CNMI public. Anyone could just come down to the Garapan school for the free flu vaccine shots.
“We want to make sure it is given to everybody, anybody at no charge,” he said.
At least 2,000 doses would be given out that day. In the event that over 2,000 people show up, DPH would allot another day for the vaccine shots. He added that DPH would order more vaccines.
DPH deputy secretary Lynn Tenorio said the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention is providing the CNMI 5,000 doses of the flu vaccines and the first batch are already here.
Villagomez said that holding the vaccination drive at GES is very timely, “so when you’re out there doing your Christmas shopping, come down to Garapan Elementary School and get vaccinated. We just want you to come and get the shot and get you protected for this season.”
Medical director Richard Brostrom said that, with the vaccine, the risk of contracting flu would be low. He said the vaccine would last for at least a year but there’s always no guarantee due to certain factors.
For the first time, DPH is also offering the vaccines to low-risk people. Brostrom said that because of the limited number of vaccines in the past, the DPH used to prioritize high-risk people.
Villagomez said he would extend the project to Rota and Tinian but his office would have to find the right schedule for the flu vaccine drive. “This [Flu Vaccine Drive] is not only for Saipan,” he said.
DPH public information officer Roxanne Diaz said the DPH started the Flu Vaccine Drive with the man’amko early this month. She invited all CNMI families, caregivers and the rest of the community to participate in this drive to prevent flu from spreading this holiday season.
To learn more about the flu and flu vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov/flu or contact DPH at 236-8703.
