Free H1N1 Community Flu Clinic Scheduled for December 3

Berlin, Md. – Atlantic General Hospital, in collaboration with the Worcester County Health Department, is holding the second in a series of free community H1N1 vaccine clinics in northern Worcester County on Thursday, December 3.

The flu clinic, which is for adults and children ages six months and older in identified priority risk groups, will be held in the main lobby of Atlantic General Hospital from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on December 3 on a first come, first served basis. Both the injected vaccine and flu mist will be available at this clinic.

The risk groups identified by the CDC include:

• pregnant women
• caregivers of children less than six months of age
• children age six months to 24 years
• healthcare workers
• adults age 25 to 64 with medical conditions*

*Examples of medical conditions, according to the Worcester County Health Department, that would be included in the risk groups are as follows:

• LUNG disease: asthma, emphysema, COPD, chronic bronchitis, others
• HEART Disease: heart attack, bypass surgery, congestive heart failure, valve defects or replacements, angina, others
• KIDNEY disease: low kidney function with or without dialysis
• LIVER disease: hepatitis, liver failure, cirrhosis, abnormal liver tests
• MENTAL: Alzheimer's, dementia, low cognitive function, mental health diagnosis or treatment
• NEUROLOGIC/neuromuscular: seizures, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, Lou Gehrig's disease, others
• BLOOD: low blood counts, anemia, blood clotting disorders, leukemia, sickle cell anemia
• METABOLIC disorders: abnormal thyroid, cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, others
• LOW IMMUNITY: caused by medications such as steroids, chemotherapy or rheumatoid arthritis medications, or by HIV, any form of cancer, or pregnancy

As with the seasonal flu shot, the H1N1 flu shots are made from eggs. If you are allergic to eggs, consult with your health care provider. Individuals must be at least six months old to receive the vaccine at this clinic. For more information about this clinic and to receive details of additional free community flu clinics, visit www.atlanticgeneral.org/flu or call the flu hotline at 410-641-9FLU (9358). For more H1N1 information, visit www.worcesterhealth.org or call the Worcester County Health Department 410-632-1100.