As part of the fight against the H1N1 flu virus, the Connecticut River Area Health District is opening up the phone lines for the state's first municipal and regional call center.

"The volume of calls and demand for assistance regarding the virus has prevented public health officials from performing their routine duties according to Regional Public Health Director Mary Jane Engle," Old Saybrook police Chief Michael Spera said in a statement.

"Therefore, in cooperation with the Health District, the Old Saybrook Office of Emergency Management has activated its Emergency Operations Center to support the District by establishing a call center.

Residents can call and get on a waiting list to get the H1N1vaccine.

The vaccination hotline was created to serve residents in the towns of:

• Chester
• Clinton
• Deep River
• Essex
• Killingworth
• Old Saybrook
• Westbrook

Residents of those towns can call 860-395-3045 or 860-395-3046 to get answers to their questions about the flu and the vaccine.

For residents in other parts of Connecticut, the state also has a hotline where you can find more information about the vaccine. That number is 1-800-830-9426.