Make-up Flu Clinic Scheduled!
Due to this year's early winter storm, we are having a make up clinic for Westford residents ages 3 yrs** and older!
Both nasal spray and injectable forms of the vaccine will be offered.
Walk-in only, no appointments necessary.
Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent.
Bring your insurance card, if you have one.
Date: Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Time: 5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
23 Depot Street
(behind the Abbot School)
Fee: No charge, regardless of insurance coverage
All regular and make up clinics will be posted on this webpage, advertised in the Westford Eagle and the Lowell Sun, and sent out on our Board of Health Notices Listserv.
If you would like to be added to our Board of Health Notices Listserv, please go to the "Subscribe to Notices Page" and follow the directions.
If you have further questions, feel free to call the Health Department at 978-692-5509
** Please note that because of limited pediatric vaccine, we request that those under the age of 36 months receive their vaccine from their MD, if possible. All children under 18 years must be accompanied by a parent at all clinics. Please bring insurance information to all clinics, as the town can seek reimbursement from insurance carriers.
Homebound individuals, who require a home visit, should contact the Health Department at 978-692-5509 to schedule an appointment.
School-based flu clinics were offered again in November to all Westford Public School students. If your child(ren) missed the school based clinics, you may bring them to the make up clinic listed above.
The 2011-2012 vaccine provides protection against an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus; an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus; and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus. It will not prevent illness caused by other viruses. It takes up to 2 weeks or more for protection to develop after the vaccine. Protection lasts about a year. Anyone with an allergy to eggs cannot receive this vaccine.
Please click the following links for more information about this year's 2011-2012 Flu vaccine formulations:
(Note: multiple language translations are available from each of these links)
Annual influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. Everyone, regardless of prior vaccination with either seasonal or H1N1 vaccine, will need to be revaccinated to be protected this year.
People at Increased Risk for Influenza-Related Complications:
• All children 6 months through 4 years of age.
• All persons > 50 years of age.
• People 6 months - 18 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy.
• Women who may be pregnant during influenza season and postpartum women.
People > 6 months of age who have:
• Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic,
neurologic,hematologic, or metabolic disorders, including diabetes.
• Immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or HIV).
• Any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other
neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of
respiratory secretions, or that can increase the risk of aspiration.
• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities.
• American Indians/Alaska Natives.
• People who are morbidly obese (BMI > 40).
To get up to date information during the flu season, visit the Health Department website at
Fall 2011 Pneumonia Vaccination
Due to state budget cuts, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has greatly reduced the quantity of vaccine purchased for adults. This is not a vaccine shortage, but, rather, a reduction of the state's spending of taxpayer's money.
Please click the following link, if you think you need a pneumonia vaccine. This link provides the medical and insurance eligibility for this state supplied vaccine. If you have any questions, feel free to call the Westford Health Dept. at 978-692-5509 and ask for one of the public health nurses.
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