'Vote and Vaccinate' to ease access to flu shots

September 23, 2006

VIN MORAN

MILFORD — Health Department officials are planning Election Day flu clinics

at city polling stations in an effort to increase access to the vaccine.

The " Vote and Vaccinate " program will allow residents to receive a flu shot

before or after voting — or even if they don't cast a ballot.

" It's open to the general public, but we just thought we'd make it easier

for voters, " Community Health Coordinator Deepa ph said Wednesday.

The clinics, she said, are part of a proactive strategy developed by the

Health Department to promote its regular flu shot program.

" It's a great way to get people we might not otherwise get, " she said.

ph said the idea for the Election Day clinics came from the Wood

Foundation in New Jersey, which gave out 15 grants for similar

clinics in 2004.

ph said the Health Department applied to the foundation for a grant this

year but did not get one. In the absence of the grant, the Health Department

will dip into its own funds to run the clinics, as it has done every year.

Most of the details need to be finalized, ph said. The locations have

not been chosen, but health officials are studying high voter-traffic areas

and would most likely put a clinic in the downtown area, she said.

State health regulations, however, restrict how and where the shots can be

administered.

" We will be in the building, but not in the specific room where the booths

are, " ph said.

The clinics will most likely be held in the afternoon and early evening.

Republican Registrar of Voters Rose Scarpa said her office had initially

agreed to the concept about a month ago but has not received further details

from the Health Department.

Health Director A. Dennis McBride said the city should have an adequate

number of shots available this year.

" So far, the supplies look good, " McBride said.

Priority groups for shots are children, the elderly and city and Board of

Education officials, McBride said.

The first of this year's flu clinics will be held Oct. 23-27 at the Milford

Senior Center. Another clinic is scheduled for Nov. 15 at Platt Technical

High School. Volunteer emergency-preparedness nurses will administer the

vaccinations as part of their training, McBride said.

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