Swine Flu Vaccine New Canaan Bound

Governor Rell announced Thursday that the first 20,000 doses of intranasal H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine have begun to arrive in Connecticut. Town Health Director Richard Werner says some of those doses should make it to New Canaan next week or the week after.

The Health Director says the vaccine will be distributed to the state's mass dispensing areas based on population, with New Canaan getting its prorated share through Norwalk.

The New Canaan Health Department will be working to idenitfy pregnant women and people who live with or care for children younger than six months old in town, who will be first in line for the vaccine.

Once everyone in those top priority groups in New Canaan and around the state who want the vaccine have received it, doses will be made available to lower priority groups. The vaccine is recommended for healthcare and emergency service providers, people six months to 24 years old, and people aged 25-64 who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

In addition to the initial shipment of intranasal vaccine, another 20,000 doses of intranasal and injectable vaccine are due in Connecticut next week, with half a million expected by mid month, and thousands more to come in weekly shipments thereafter.

Werner says the town will administer the vaccine in small clinics into the winter and likely through the spring.

Still, Werner says the best way to prevent the spread of swine flu is basic hygeine. If everyone washed their hands and covered their nose and mouth, "we would have a very controllable issue," Werner said.

The town's seasonal flu clinic is scheduled for Oct. 18. For more information about preventing swine flu and seasonal flu and for updates regarding when and where to get vaccinated, visit the Health Department's Web site.