WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center’s primary care clinics are offering the H1N1 vaccine to established patients over the age of 6 months, through the normal patient appointment process. People who do not have an established relationship with a primary care provider may call Health On-Call (800-446-2255) for assistance in finding a physician practice. Also, some vaccine is available through the Forsyth County Health Department, which has announced upcoming flu vaccination clinics.
Also, some Wake Forest Baptist specialty clinics and services -- obstetrics/gynecology, hematology-oncology, transplant, rheumatology, HIV/infectious disease, pulmonary/allergy, nephrology and dialysis centers -- also have vaccine for their patients, who may call those clinics for an appointment.
When the vaccine was in shortage, health officials were recommending that only specific risk groups receive the vaccine. However, the vaccine – the injectable and intranasal FluMist – is now widely available and is being offered to anyone 6 months or older, unless the person has a medical reason for not receiving it.
"Now is the time for people to get vaccinated against H1N1," said Chris Ohl, M.D., infectious disease specialist at Wake Forest Baptist. "While the numbers of influenza-like illnesses are down, we are still seeing patients hospitalized. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect the entire community and by doing so, we have a real opportunity to blunt another wave of H1N1 in winter or early spring."
Media Relations
Bonnie Davis: bdavis@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-1597
Mark Wright: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587