The moment of truth has finally arrived for New York City: the anticipated H1N1 flu vaccine has officially become more selective than the average community college. In an effort to keep our readers healthy (even if they do happen to be non-pregnant, 24-year-old-or-older baby haters), Bwog presents the latest Health Services update detailing who exactly is eligible for the vaccine. For interested consumers, it will be administered free of charge at designated health clinics throughout the city for the next four weekends; the clinics will be open from 9am-6pm on Saturdays and 9am-5pm on Sundays.

Full email after the jump. 

Dear Fellow Member of the Columbia Community:

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has just
expanded the criteria for those who may receive the H1N1 influenza
vaccine at designated weekend Department of Health (DOH) clinics in
New York City. The DOH has now made the vaccine available for:

– those under 24 years old
– anyone who is pregnant
– anyone in close contact with newborns
– people age 25 to 64 with a medical condition at risk for flu complications*

*These conditions include asthma, diabetes, chronic heart and lung
conditions, kidney failure, or a weakened immune system. (It is not
necessary to bring a physician note documenting a chronic health
condition or a  prescription for the vaccine.)

If you are concerned about the H1N1 flu and identify with one or more
of the above priority groups, we recommend getting a free H1N1 vaccine
at one of the Department of Health’s clinics in the five boroughs of
New York City. These clinics will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on
Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

For a complete list of clinics in your area or for more information
about the H1N1 health clinics, please visit the New York City
Department of Health’s flu website and locate the nearest clinic by
searching with your borough or zip code:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/flu/html/vaccination/index.shtml

Students under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Those under 18 must bring a signed parental consent/screening form
(available at each clinic or through:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/flu/html/schools/vaccination.shtml).

As you may know, Columbia University is still waiting for its full
allotment of the H1N1 vaccine.  When the University receives the full
allotment, information on how to receive the vaccine on campus will be
provided to the Columbia community immediately.

For more information about the University’s plans, prevention tips and
what to do if you are sick, contact Health Services at (212) 854-2284
or visit the Columbia Preparedness website:
www.columbia.edu/cu/studentservices/preparedness.

You may also wish to read more information about the H1N1 flu vaccine
on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

Sincerely,

Samuel L. Seward
Assistant Vice President
Health Services at Columbia