December 10, 2009 – As New York City heads into its final weekend of free vaccine clinics for H1N1 influenza, the Health Department is lifting most of the remaining restrictions on eligibility, effective Saturday. This weekend’s five vaccine centers – one in each borough – will admit any New Yorker who is at least 4 years old, including any healthy adult who would like to be vaccinated.

The Health Department will continue to target those most in need of H1N1 vaccination. The priority groups include pregnant women, anyone between 6 months and 24 years old, and adults with chronic health conditions that increase the risk of severe illness or complications. Health care workers and people in close contact with infants are also on the priority list, because of the risk they pose to others when infected themselves. But because H1N1 vaccine is now increasingly available to people in these groups, the agency is advising health care providers to reach beyond previously designated priority groups and vaccinate anyone over 6 months of age who wants or needs protection from H1N1 influenza. 

“If you belong to a priority group and haven’t yet been vaccinated, please take advantage of this opportunity,” said Dr. Thomas Farley, New York City Health Commissioner. “If you’re not in a priority group but want to protect yourself from the flu, this weekend’s clinics are for you too. The H1N1 virus is still spreading in New York City, and vaccination is the surest way to prevent it. So don’t get sick – get immunized.” The Health Department particularly urges pregnant women to receive H1N1 vaccine because of their increased risk of hospitalization and death if they get the flu.

During four weeks of operation, the City’s weekend H1N1 vaccine clinics have immunized more than 37,000 New Yorkers. Two-day attendance surged to 15,000 people during the second of five scheduled weekends but has since tapered off. The table below shows total attendance by date and by borough for each of the first four weekends.

This weekend’s clinics – the last ones scheduled – will again cover all five boroughs. Locations are listed on the following page. Each clinic will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The clinics are designed to accommodate large numbers of people, but outdoor lines are possible, so visitors should dress for inclement weather. Anyone under 18 must present a signed parental consent form, and anyone under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Though the weekend clinics cannot serve children under 4, most regular vaccination sites can. For a full directory of clinics where H1N1 vaccine is available, New Yorkers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/flu.

Weekend Vaccination Sites for December 12 and 13

Clinics will operate from 9 am to 6 pm on Saturday and from 9 am to 5 pm on Sunday

Bronx

Brooklyn

Manhattan

Queens

Staten Island

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