Free flu shot for Aberdeen residents: reminder

Hunter New England Health is reminding the residents of Aberdeen in the Upper Hunter that there will be a free flu vaccination clinic on Tuesday 11 March.

The Aberdeen community can get their free flu shot at St Joseph’s High School between from 2pm-8pm.

Not only will you be protecting yourself against influenza this winter, you will also be helping the Area Health Service with an important disaster planning exercise.

The mass vaccination clinic is part of an exercise called ‘Ring o’ Rosies’ that aims to test Hunter New England Health’s ongoing pandemic and disaster preparation and planning.

HNE Health Public Health Controller Dr David Durrheim said in this particular exercise, the scenario calls for local health authorities to set up a vaccination clinic following the detection of pandemic influenza in Australia and the subsequent development of an effective vaccine.

“It’s important that the community understand this scenario is part of a planning exercise only – and there is no evidence of pandemic influenza in Australia.

“We really do hope people that live and work in Aberdeen will help put our plans to the test by coming out to the vaccination clinic and participating,” Dr Durrheim said.

The exercise will involve health staff from the Upper Hunter, the HNE Health Bio-preparedness and Population Health Units.

The data gathered and lessons learned will help enhance Hunter New England Health’s pandemic plans and contribute to preparations on a national level and within other health services in NSW.

Who can attend?:

• All individuals older than six months of age that live or work in the Aberdeen community (postcode 2336)
• Children under 16 must be accompanied by parent/guardian
• Children under 10 having the flu vaccine for the first time will also need a second free dose at least one month later, to provide full protection

What to bring with you:

• Medicare card
• Vaccine Record Card or booklet (e.g. blue book for children) if you have one
• Proof of living or working within the Aberdeen postcode (e.g. council rates notice, utilities bill, driver’s licence, student ID, work ID etc)
 
For further information about the mass vaccination clinic please telephone (02) 6542 2747.

Contact: Tanya Carlyle

Phone: (02) 4939 2602