Westford Health Department Events

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT: REMEMBERING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Westford Coalition for Non-Violence in partnership with the Live for Liv foundation, will be hosting a domestic violence program in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The Westford town common will be lit up with purple lights to symbolize this event. Residents are asked to attend and remember victims of domestic violence with this annual program and vigil. The event will feature a live performance and music by Westford Academy theatre arts students and a candlelight ceremony to remember those who have lost their lives to domestic violence. Teenagers and their families are welcome.
Date: Oct. 5
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Location: Parish Center for the Arts, 10 Lincoln St.

Parent Support Group
This support group is a free drop in group, available to any parent who is concerned that their child might be struggling with a mental health issue. This can be something such as ADD, or some sadness, lots of worries or perhaps something more defined. This is a pro bono group offered for parents to come together and share ideas, offer support to each other and realize that they are not alone in our concern for our children. Facilitators are: Dianne Walsh, LICSW (Cognitive- Behavioral Therapist) and Sue Hanly, RN (school nurse at Stony Brook School). All groups include discussion and sharing by any member who is interested in getting feedback from the group. You do not need to be a Westford resident to attend. To be included on the group email: feel free to contact: Dianne Walsh, LICSW (walshnr@comcast.net or 508-566-3189) or Sue Hanly, RN (smhanly@earthlink.net or 978-501-0837)
October 11th – Understanding ADD/ADHD; treatments as well as misconceptions
Location: Millennium School (behind Abbot) Large Old Purpose Room
Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Fee: Free

YOUTH SUBSTANCE USE: WHY IT MATTERS, HOW IT HAS CHANGED AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT
Parents are asked to join this informative presentation which will include information on how the brain and addiction works. Presenter is Lee Anne Dodge, a Health Educator from the Maine Department of Public Health, she is a credentialed prevention specialist and has recently worked on the Tobacco and Substance Use Prevention Team at the Maine Center for Disease Control. She has worked in the substance use prevention field for over twenty years. A Westford Police Department representative will make a presentation, as well.
Date: Oct. 13
Time: 7 to 9 p.m.
Location: Blanchard Middle School

FLU/PNEUMONIA CLINIC SCHEDULE

(The times for some of the clinics have been corrected from an earlier posting)

WESTFORD RESIDENTS ONLY

Westford Health Department is holding a High-Dose Fluzone, Flu Clinic for seniors 65 or older at the Franco American Club. Thursday, October 20 12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

By Alphabet

12:30  to 1:30 p.m. A – H

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. I – Q

2:30 to 3:30 p.m. R – Z

Homebound individuals, who require a home visit, should contact the Health Department at 978-692-5509 to schedule an appointment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the high-dose flu vaccine called Fluzone for seniors 65 years and older. This year’s vaccine is formulated to contain higher hemagglutinin (HA) of each of the following three influenza strains recommended for the 2016-2017 influenza season: A/California/07/2009 X-179A (H1N1), A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 X-263-B(H3N2), and B/Brisbane/60/2008(B Victoria Lineage).

Regular Flu Clinics:

Oct. 28:   10 a.m.-12 p.m. J.V. Fletcher Library

Nov. 4: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. J.V. Fletcher Library

Nov. 8:  6 to 8 p.m. Millennium

Nov. 16: 6 to 8 p.m. Millennium

These vaccines will not prevent illness caused by other viruses. It takes up to 2 weeks or more for protection to develop after the vaccine. Protection lasts about a year. . Although CDC is now stating that those with egg aller-gies can receive this vaccine, it does require careful monitoring of the patient. Therefore, anyone with an allergy to eggs cannot receive this vaccine at one of our public clinics.

Annual influenza vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. Everyone, regardless of prior vaccination, will need to be revaccinated to be protected this year.

SCHOOL-BASED FLU CLINIC PROGRAMTHIS YEAR

WE WILL ONLY BE PROVIDING FLU SHOTS AND NOT THE FLU MIST at these schools only: Middle Schools (6-8 grades) and Westford Academy.  PLEASE SIGN UP ON THE WESTFORD HEALTH DEPARTMENT WEBSITE.

• Nov. 1, Blanchard Middle at 7:35 a.m.
• Nov. 2, Stony Brook Middle at 7:35 a.m.
• Nov. 3, Westford Academy at 7:00 a.m.

People at Increased Risk for Influenza-Related Complications:

• All children 6 months through 4 years of age • All persons > 50 years of age
• People 6 months – 18 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy • Women who will be pregnant during influenza season and postpartum women
• People > 6 months of age who have:

Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, neurological,

hematologic, or metabolic disorders, including diabetes

Immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or HIV);

Any condition (e.g., cognitive dysfunction, spinal cord injuries, seizure disorders, or other neuromuscular disorders) that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk of aspiration

• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities • American Indians/Alaska Natives People who are morbidly obese (BMI > 40)

To get up to date information during the flu season, visit the Health Department website at

www.westfordma.gov/health or sign up for our listserv at www.westfordma.gov/subscriber

Gail F. Johnson, B.S.N., RN

Public Health Nurse

Westford Health Dept.

55 Main St.

Westford, Ma. 01886

978-399-2548

—– Original Message —–