I don’t scare easily.
But Sunday’s “60 Minutes” story on the H1N1 virus terrified me.
Now I think of H1N1 as another 1918 pandemic, except I’m alive for this one.
And I hope to remain so.
Which is why, at the end of the segment, I and every other “60 Minutes” viewer raced to our computers and clicked on the link the show thoughtfully provided, to find out where to get our own flu shots.
I drilled down several levels. The good news is, I easily found the “CT Flu Watch” page, and from there the Westport Weston Health District page.
The bad news is — well, read it yourself:
Both the Westport Weston Health District and the Wilton Health Department have received a limited amount of live, attenuated influenza vaccine. This is a thimerosal-free nasal spray indicated for healthy individuals ages 2 – 49 years of age who are not pregnant. At this time, use of this vaccine is restricted to the following priority populations:
Children aged 2 – 4 years
Persons who live with or care for children less than 6 months of age.
The vaccine is currently available at 3 pediatric groups: Bay Street, Village and Willows, as well as the Health District itself.
As more vaccine becomes available, it will be offered to the following high-risk target groups:
Pregnant women
People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
Certain healthcare and emergency medical services personnel who work directly with patients
Children 6 months through 4 years of age
Children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.
Finally — I should live so long — the vaccine will be available for my demographic: “everyone (else) who wishes to be vaccinated.”
I’ll keep checking the Health District site, as suggested.
In the meantime, I’ve got another plan: Stop watching “60 Minutes.”