The Martha’s Vineyard Public Health Coalition, a consortium of Island health agencies, has scheduled a series of H1N1 vaccinations in Island towns for the general public. Those who wish to be vaccinated are asked to attend a clinic in their town of residency.
Ron MacLaren, the Wampanoag tribe health director who has acted as the spokesman for town health officials, said that there is still a need for people to be vaccinated against H1N1. Mr. MacLaren said that although the publicity has diminished, the risk of infection remains. “The thing to remember is that H1N1 comes in waves,” he said.
Mr. MacLaren said the health agents would be assisting at the clinics. The Vineyard Nursing Association (VNA) will provide the vaccinations.
Vaccination screening and consent forms are available at the offices of each town board of health, libraries, town halls and councils on aging. Direct questions to the local boards of health.
The Health Coalition includes all town health agents, the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, VNA, Dukes County Emergency Management and the Wampanoag Health Service.
The vaccination clinic schedule is: Wednesday, Jan. 6, Aquinnah Town Hall, 2 to 6 pm; Jan. 11, Oak Bluffs Public Library, 2 to 6 pm; Jan. 13, Tisbury American Legion Post, 3 to 6 pm; Jan. 15, Edgartown School, 3 to 7 pm; Jan. 18, West Tisbury Public Safety building, 9 am to noon; Jan. 21, Chilmark Community Center, 3 to 7 pm; Wampanoag Tribe administrative building, for tribal members by appointment beginning Jan. 11.