Nassau County - Long Island, New York

November 9, 2009

 

Nassau County Department of Health to Offer

H1N1 Flu Vaccine to Pregnant Women Free of Cost

Nassau County Department of Health will be offering the H1N1 vaccine at no cost to Nassau County pregnant women on November 16, 2009.  The vaccine will be available:

 

November 16, 2009

5:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.

Nassau County Department of Health

106 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard

East Employee Entrance

Uniondale, New York

The vaccine that is being administered comes in a multi-dose vial containing thimerosal (a mercury preservative).  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that there is no evidence that thimerosal is harmful to a pregnant women or fetus.  The CDC advises pregnant women to get flu shots either with or without thimerosal.

H1N1 Flu Can Cause Serious Illness in Pregnant Women:

 

  • Pregnant women should receive the new H1N1 flu vaccine as well as the seasonal flu vaccine.
  • A pregnant woman who gets any type of flu is at risk for serious complications and hospitalization.
  • Pregnant women who are otherwise healthy have had severe illness from the new H1N1 flu. This has occurred nationally, as well as in New York State.
  • In comparison to the general population, a greater proportion of pregnant women infected with the new H1N1 flu have been hospitalized.
  • In addition, severe illness and death have occurred in pregnant women. Six percent of confirmed deaths related to the new H1N1 flu have been in pregnant women, while only about 1 percent of the general population is pregnant.
  • Vaccination is the single best way for pregnant women to protect against the flu.
  • Pregnant women should get the "flu shot." The nasal-spray form of vaccine – is not currently approved for use in pregnant women.
  • Influenza vaccines have not been shown to cause harm to a pregnant woman or her baby. The seasonal flu shot, which previously has proven safe for pregnant women, and the new H1N1 flu vaccine were made using the same process.

For additional information, please call the Nassau County Department of Health Flu Call Center, Monday - Friday, 9 am - 4 pm, 1-888-684-4271.

Directions to Nassau County Department of Health

Via the Northern State Parkway:
Take the Northern State Pkwy to exit 31A (Meadowbrook Pkwy S). Go south on the Meadowbrook Pkwy to exit M4 for Rt-24 W (Hempsteasd Tpke). Keep right at fork to merge onto Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Follow on Charles Lindbergh Blvd for approximately one mile. Department of Health building is on your left. Follow blue sign for parking.

Via Southern State Pkwy:
Take the Southern State Pkwy to exit 22N (Meadowbrook Pkwy N). ). Go north on the Meadowbrook Pkwy to exit M4 for Rt-24 W. Keep right at fork to merge onto Charles Lindbergh Blvd. Follow on Charles Lindbergh Blvd for approximately one mile. Department of Health building is on your left. (Please Note: Charles Lindbergh Blvd is a one way street. DO NOT attempt to turn around on Charles Lindbergh Blvd.)