How often do you get something vitally important for free?
Rhode Island adults can obtain the H1N1 flu vaccine free of charge at a series of public clinics around the state, beginning tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 a.m. at Mt. Pleasant High School in Providence. The only requirement: that you must be 18 or over. You don’t have to live in the community where the clinic is held, and no insurance or ID is needed.
The clinics come at a key time. Though the early fall swell of reported H1N1 cases has abated somewhat, most flu currently seen in the state by health professionals is still H1N1, according to Dr. David Gifford, the director of the state Department of Health.
Dr. Gifford also told us at an Emergency Management Advisory Council meeting earlier this week that we should expect another wave of the H1N1 virus in the spring. This is not the time to grow complacent about H1N1.
I know I’ll be getting my H1N1 vaccine at the clinic held at Park View Middle School in Cranston on January 21. Find a clinic near you from the list of the public H1N1 clinics that run through February 13 below. For updates to the clinic list, which is subject to change, click here.
Saturday, January 16:
Providence: Mt. Pleasant High School, 434 Mount Pleasant Avenue, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Cumberland: Cumberland High School, 2600 Mendon Road, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Pawtucket: Joseph Jenks Middle School, 350 Division Street 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Burrillville: Burrillville High School, 425 East Avenue, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Sunday, January 17:
North Smithfield: North Smithfield Jr/Sr High School, 412 Greenville Road, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
West Warwick: West Warwick High School, 2 Webster Knight Drive, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Thursday, January 21:
Cranston: Park View Middle School, 25 Park View Blvd, 5–9 p.m.
Saturday, January 23
Tiverton: Tiverton Middle School, 10 Quintal Road, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Westerly: Springbrook Elementary School, 39 Springbrook Road, 12–6 p.m.
Charlestown: Charlestown Senior Center, 4890 Old Post Road, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Lincoln: Lincoln High School, 135 Old River Road, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Monday, January 25
North Kingstown: North Kingstown High School, 155 Fairway Drive, 4–8 p.m.
Tuesday, January 26
South Kingstown: Matunuck Elementary School, 380 Matunuck Beach Road, 5–9 p.m.
Bristol: Reynolds School, 235 High Street, 4–8 p.m.
Saturday, January 30
Central Falls: Calcutt School, 112 Washington Street, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Smithfield: Smithfield High School, 90 Pleasant View Avenue, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Newport: Rogers High School, 15 Wikham Road, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Thursday, February 4
Woonsocket: Woonsocket High School, 777 Cass Avenue, 4–8 p.m.
Saturday, February 6
Jamestown: The Melrose School, 76 Melrose Ave 8 a.m.–noon
Richmond: Chariho High School, 455 Switch Road 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Exeter: The Job Corps Center, 162 Main Street, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Warren: Kickemuit Middle School, 525 Child Street, noon–4 p.m.
Sunday, February 7
Middletown: Gaudet Middle School, 1113 Aquidneck Avenue, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Tuesday, February 9
Barrington: Barrington High School, 220 Lincoln Avenue, 4–8 p.m.
Portsmouth: Portsmouth High School, 120 Education Lane, 4–8 p.m.
Wednesday, February 10
Narragansett: Narragansett High School, 245 South Pier Road, 5–9 p.m.
Saturday, February 13
Foster: The Paine School, 160 Foster Center Road, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
East Providence: Martin Middle School, 111 Brown Street, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Wednesday, February 17
North Providence: North Providence High School, 1828 Mineral Spring Avenue, 12:15–6 p.m.
Coventry: Coventry High School, 41 Reservoir Road, 3–8 p.m.
Saturday, February 20
Scituate: Scituate Middle School, 94 Trimtown Road, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.