Free swine flu vaccination clinic for Maitland residents

GP Access, in partnership with Hunter New England Health, will be holding free vaccination clinics this weekend for Maitland residents seeking protection from the pandemic influenza virus Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) (human swine influenza).

Operations Manager, Clinical Services for GP Access Amanda Francis said there had been a great deal of interest surrounding the availability of the vaccine in the Maitland region.

“Overall, the Hunter vaccination rate is doing well, however GP Access has received many calls from people in the Maitland area seeking a public provider for the human swine influenza vaccination,” Ms Francis said.

“We have partnered with Hunter New England Health to hold two free vaccination clinics at Maitland Hospital this Saturday and Sunday, in the hope that we can reach a greater number of people in the local community.

“The clinics will particularly benefit parents and families who have found it difficult to see their local GP due to commitments during the working week,” she said.   

Public Health Physician for Hunter New England Health Dr Craig Dalton said human swine influenza would continue to pose a risk for Australians over the summer period.

“Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) continues to be active in Australia. Overseas, the virus continues to spread, with continued activity in the northern hemisphere,” he said.

“H1N1 influenza produces a mild illness in most and a severe illness in some. We are encouraging people to be vaccinated against this virus, particularly those people who have a chronic illness, who have an infant less than six months of age, or who may be travelling to an area with high levels of pandemic influenza activity, such as North America, Europe and Asia,” Dr Dalton said.

The free human swine influenza vaccination is available all residents of the Maitland region over the age of six months.

Vaccination clinics will be held at The Maitland Hospital on:
Saturday 9 January 2010
Sunday 10 January 2010

Members of the Maitland community should call (02) 4925 7899 to book an appointment time.

Further information about Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) or the Panvax vaccine can be found at: http://www.emergency.health.nsw.gov.au/swineflu

Contact: Nicole Fuller

Phone: (02) 4921 4477