By Patrick Anderson
As the number of swine flu, or H1N1, cases wane across the country, officials on Cape Ann yesterday announced that, for the first time, they will open up access to the vaccine that prevents the disease to all local residents beginning next week.
What had initially been a scarcity of vaccine now appears to be a solid supply, if not a surplus, both locally and statewide, as the severity of the pandemic declines along with public interest in protection from it.
But despite the slowdown in the number of suspected swine flu cases, officials with the Cape Ann Emergency Planning Team still want to get as many residents vaccinated as possible. Yesterday, they announced three clinics in the next five weeks for any Cape Ann residents who haven't already been vaccinated.
"One of our goals is to create a herd immunity," Gloucester Director of Public Health Jack Vondras said yesterday, using the public health term for protecting a large group. "The more we can vaccinate, the more we protect those that can't or won't get vaccinated."
The expansion of access to vaccine comes a day after the federal Centers for Disease Control recalled 800,000 doses of a certain batch of swine flu vaccine for being weak and ineffective.
Vondras said none of Cape Ann's vaccine is of the type or batch involved in the recall.
In addition to swine flu vaccine, the three upcoming clinics will provide access to seasonal flu and pneumonia vaccines. All Cape Ann residents are welcome to any of the three clinics, even if they are not residents of the specific community hosting it.
Earlier, swine flu vaccine efforts were limited to target populations, including children and pregnant women.
So far, there have been no deaths on Cape Ann tied to swine flu, and fewer than 10 hospitalizations, Vondras said.
But despite the fact that the swine flu problem appears to be weakening, Vondras cautioned that the disease could re-strengthen later in the winter, and that the seasonal flu was expected to arrive soon.
"Influenza-like illnesses are decreasing on Cape Ann as well as the rest of the country," Vondras said. "But it is very unpredictable and we are predicting a third wave."
Patrick Anderson can be reached at 978-283-7000, x3455, or via e-mail panderson@gloucestertimes.com.
H1N1 CLINICS
The next Cape Ann clinics for the H1N1, or swine flu, vaccine, now available to anyone, are planned as follows, all from 4 to 7 p.m.:
Monday, Dec. 21, at Rockport Elementary School, 36 Jerdens Lane, Rockport.
Tuesday, Dec. 22, at Legion Hall, 14 Church St., Manchester.
Thursday, Jan. 7, at the former Fuller School, 4 School House Road, Gloucester.
