Health Dept. scales back on shot clinics outside Norwich
NORWICH – Chenango County public health nurses will no longer administer vaccinations at regular clinics in off-site locations.
Public Health Director Marcas Flindt said service was discontinued in McDonough, Unadilla Valley School, Greene, Bainbridge, Afton, South Otselic and Oxford at the beginning of the year on a trial basis through March. The move is designed to free up nurses’ time.
“Two and sometimes three nurses spend the day at a remote clinic only to deliver three vaccinations. They would be there all day,” he said.
The numbers have significantly diminished with fewer births and the advent of Child Health Plus social services funding for vaccines, he said.
There were 24 immunizations delivered from the remote sites in January of 2007, 23 in January of 2008 and 24 from the Norwich-based clinic.
“Our plan is to keep track of these numbers, go back to committee in March and let them know how it’s going. The intent is to become more efficient in these difficult financial times and to maintain services to the people of the county,” said Flindt.
To make up for any inconveniece, Flindt said more clinics will be offered each month at the first floor walk-in clinic in the County Office Building.
The news caught town supervisors off guard last week, many of whom argued to keep the service for individuals who may be unable to travel to the City of Norwich to get the shots for themselves or their children. Supervisors from Smyrna, New Berlin and Afton strongly opposed the change.
“I’d rather see you do appointments (in remote clinics) and scale back the number of nurses you send. Rural immunization clinics are very important in remote areas,” James B. Bays, D-Smyrna, said.
Afton Supervisor Robert Briggs suggested sending one nurse and going less often. “Some people are going to have a hard time getting to Norwich,” he said.
Public Health Director Marcas Flindt said service was discontinued in McDonough, Unadilla Valley School, Greene, Bainbridge, Afton, South Otselic and Oxford at the beginning of the year on a trial basis through March. The move is designed to free up nurses’ time.
“Two and sometimes three nurses spend the day at a remote clinic only to deliver three vaccinations. They would be there all day,” he said.
The numbers have significantly diminished with fewer births and the advent of Child Health Plus social services funding for vaccines, he said.
There were 24 immunizations delivered from the remote sites in January of 2007, 23 in January of 2008 and 24 from the Norwich-based clinic.
“Our plan is to keep track of these numbers, go back to committee in March and let them know how it’s going. The intent is to become more efficient in these difficult financial times and to maintain services to the people of the county,” said Flindt.
To make up for any inconveniece, Flindt said more clinics will be offered each month at the first floor walk-in clinic in the County Office Building.
The news caught town supervisors off guard last week, many of whom argued to keep the service for individuals who may be unable to travel to the City of Norwich to get the shots for themselves or their children. Supervisors from Smyrna, New Berlin and Afton strongly opposed the change.
“I’d rather see you do appointments (in remote clinics) and scale back the number of nurses you send. Rural immunization clinics are very important in remote areas,” James B. Bays, D-Smyrna, said.
Afton Supervisor Robert Briggs suggested sending one nurse and going less often. “Some people are going to have a hard time getting to Norwich,” he said.
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