Ample vaccine supply expected

    PATTEN – Katahdin Valley Health Center (KVHC), with facilities in Houlton, Island Falls, Millinocket and Patten, Maine, will have an ample supply of flu vaccine for all KVHC patients at its medical clinics in Millinocket, Patten, Island Falls and Houlton for the 2007-08 flu season.     “Everyone is at some risk of developing severe and even fatal influenza infections and should consider getting a flu vaccine,” said Joe Sardina, M.D., KVHC’s medical director. “We will begin immunizing our high risk patients at the end of October. All other KVHC patients can receive their flu immunizations throughout November and December.
    “High risk patients include people with asthma, chronic heart, lung or kidney disease, pregnant women, people 50 years of age or older, and children between six months and five years of age,” he added.    “While late October and November are the most opportune times to be immunized against the flu virus, immunizations received through March 2008 also provide additional protection against the flu.”
    KVHC patients who are considered high risk may call KVHC at 1-866-366-5842 (toll free) to schedule an appointment for late October to receive their flu immunization. KVHC will hold flu clinics, to be announced at a later date, so others can receive their flu immunizations.
    Katahdin Valley Health Center (KVHC) is a provider of high quality, cost effective primary health, pediatrics, dental, substance abuse and mental health care to the people in the Greater Katahdin Region.
    A Federally Qualified Health Center, KVHC is a nonprofit business governed by a board of directors, comprised of area volunteers, funded by a federal grant under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. KVHC employs 65 people at its five facilities in Millinocket, Houlton, Patten and Island Falls.