H1N1 vaccinations under way in Dan River Region

The Pittsylvania-Danville Health District has partnered with schools to successfully vaccinate several area schools with H1N1 vaccine, said Dr. Charles Devine, health director.

On-site school vaccination clinics occur as the vaccine becomes available. The vaccine should be avail-able to the general public in mid-November.

So far, schools receiving vaccinations include Grove Park Preschool, Woodrow Wilson Magnet School, Sacred Heart School, Forest Hills Elementary, Glenwood Elementary, G.L.H. Johnson Elementary and Park Avenue Elementary, Devine said.

From the Chatham office, staff vaccinated Twin Springs Elementary, Hurt Elementary, Brosville Elementary and Mount Airy Elementary, Devine said.

Additionally, every physician or office that signed up to provide the H1N1 vaccine has received a small allocation of it, he added.

“We are essentially pushing it out the door as soon as we get it in,” Devine said.

The health department is still vaccinating those in at-risk groups.

Devine reminds everyone to attend the Community Health Fair on Nov. 21, where seasonal flu vaccine will be available. The health department is working hard to get H1N1 vaccine there as well, he said.

The health fair offers free dental, eye, BMI, blood pressure, pulmonary function, cholesterol and PSA screenings and nutrition education, too. Visit the fair at Foundation Hall at Danville Community College from 8 am to 3 p.m.

Pre-registration is recommended. Call 888-ASK-DUKE to register.

For more information on the health fair, call (434) 791-0001.