|
|
|
|
|
|
|
H1N1 Vaccine Update as of 11:30 AM, Friday, October 30th | |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Craig Taylor Representative District 19 |
I just received the following email from the Lake County Health Department. Please see the information below concerning the vaccine situation as of 11:30 AM today, Friday, October 30th. Thanks for your patience and understanding as we move through this process. I'll continue to do my best to keep you informed as quickly as I can.
I want to make sure I keep you as informed and up to date as I can. I respect your time and hope what I'm providing is beneficial to you, your family, your neighbors and your friends.
Please pass this information along to others who may benefit from it.
Please feel free to contact me with your concerns or comments. You can reach me by phone, 847-438-2961 or email:
Craig |
|
LETTER FROM LAKE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT: H1N1 Vaccine & Clinic Update |
|
Health Department Flu Update: 10/30/09
At this time, all vaccine planned for the Lake County Health Department's first round of H1N1 vaccine clinics (October 29 - November 1) has been allocated. For the rest of the day Friday, only people who have received wrist bands from the clinic sites will receive the vaccine. The Department has cancelled clinic hours for Saturday and Sunday because of depleted vaccine supplies.
"In this first round of vaccine distribution, we focused on meeting the community's demand for immediate service," said Irene Pierce, the Health Department's Executive Director. "Residents told us they wanted the vaccine as soon as possible. To meet this need, we coordinated walk-in clinics that are expected to vaccinate more than 10,000 people in two days. This is more vaccine than we have provided in an entire flu season. However, we realize that the waiting time has been frustrating and appreciate the public's patience. Future clinics will include an appointment component. We will inform the public of additional clinic plans as soon as we have them available."
Flu seasons usually last for months. There will be many ways to acquire an H1N1 vaccine in Lake County. In addition to the Health Department clinics, vaccinations are expected to be available from a large number of community healthcare providers, pharmacies and clinics in November and December. More than 430 local providers and facilities are registered to receive vaccine in the county.
For an inside look at LCHD vaccination clinics, check out this video: http://lakecnty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=359
What You Can Do
Practice Healthy Habits
In addition to getting your seasonal flu shot, help prevent the spread of flu in the workplace, schools and throughout the community by:
Staying home if you are sick
Covering your cough and sneeze
Washing your hands frequently
Additional important items to remember about flu include:
Overall, people are most contagious during the first three days of illness, so staying home during this time is especially important to not spread the flu to coworkers, friends or fellow students.
People with flu-like symptoms should stay home from school, work and social gatherings until 24 hours after resolution of their fever (less than 100 F) without fever reducing medications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children 9 and younger receive two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine, which should be separated by one month. One dose is recommended for everyone else.
Access Reliable Information
http://www.lakecountyil.gov/Health/H1N1.htm
http://www.flu.gov/
http://ready.illinois.gov
The Health Department's H1N1 hotline number is: 847-377-8350.
Irene T. Pierce, MSN
Executive Director
Lake County Health Department
and Community Health Center
3010 Grand Avenue
Waukegan, IL 60085
847.377.8073 Office
847.360.5957 Fax
ipierce@lakecountyil.gov
www.lakecountyil.gov/health
|
|
Downloadable Registration Form for H1N1 Clinic |
How can I be best prepared for my visit to the H1N1 clinic?
We anticipate a high demand for 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and one way for residents to help speed up the process is to download a registration form from our web site and bring it to the clinic completed. The form can be found here. It is also a good idea to wear a short-sleeved shirt. It helps to have eaten a small meal or snack and a drink (water, juice) within an hour or two of receiving a vaccination. |
|
H1N1 Vaccination Clinic Frequently Asked Questions |
Who is in the high priority target group for the H1N1 vaccine?
The high priority target population groups for the H1N1 vaccine include:
· Individuals 6 months to 24 years of age
· Caretakers and household contacts of children under 6 months of age
· Pregnant women
· Healthcare and emergency medical services employees
· People 25 to 64 years of age with underlying medical conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, which put them at high risk for flu-related complications
Can only people in these target groups receive the H1N1 vaccine?
The Health Department's initial clinics are for people in the above high priority target groups who are most at risk for flu-related complications. However, after these groups have received their shots, the vaccine will be available for anyone who wants it. We will notify residents when the vaccine is available for the general public.
Where can I get the H1N1 vaccine?
Over 430 providers in Lake County have committed to providing the H1N1 vaccine. This includes medical providers, pharmacies and the Lake County Health Department. Lake County Health Department H1N1 clinic schedule
What documentation do I need to bring with me to the Health Department's H1N1 vaccine clinic?
We recommend that every person requesting the 2009 H1N1 flu mist vaccination bring a record of previous vaccinations, if available. For the safety of the client, live vaccines (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, seasonal Flu nasal spray) cannot be given within 28 days of the H1N1 nasal spray. The vaccinator will check for this from the record. This only applies to the nasal spray form of the H1N1.
What documentation do I need to prove I am in a high risk group?
No documentation is necessary to prove that an individual falls within a particular high risk group.
Do I need an appointment for the H1N1 clinic?
No, all of the Health Department's H1N1 clinics are walk-in only.
Is there a charge for the H1N1 vaccine?
The Lake County Health Department is offering the H1N1 vaccine at no charge.
Why aren't teachers and senior citizens included in the target group for the H1N1 vaccine?
The Lake County Health Department is following the CDC's guidelines regarding the high priority target groups for H1N1 vaccinations. The target groups were determined based on CDC surveillance of H1N1 activity in the spring in North America and in the southern hemisphere during the summer, which indicated that young people, pregnant women and people with underlying medical conditions were most likely to become seriously ill if they contract the virus. Once the priority groups have been targeted, the vaccine will be made available to the general public.
Do teenagers need their parents to accompany them to receive the H1N1 vaccine?
The Lake County Health Department requires that an adult accompany minors under the age of 18 to receive vaccinations, including flu shots. If a parent is unable to accompany their child, they can give written consent to another adult, however we do not vaccinate unaccompanied children.
The permission slip should say: I, ____________, the parent or guardian of _____________, give permission for my son/daughter to receive an H1N1 vaccination. It must include the parent's/guardian's signature.
Are there Thimerisol-free H1N1 vaccines available?
There are three types of H1N1 vaccine: 1) 2009 H1N1 Inactivated Vaccine ("flu - shot") 2) 2009 H1N1 Thimerisol-Free Inactivated Vaccine and 3) 2009 H1N1 Live Attenuated Intranasal Vaccine (Flu Mist). We have ordered a combination of all three types of vaccine, but at this point we do not have any indication about how many Flu Mist or Thimerisol-free vaccine doses we will receive. You can contact your medical provider to see if they will have the Thimerisol-free vaccine available.
How many doses of H1N1 vaccine are required?
Children ages 6 months to 9 years old are recommended to receive two doses of the H1N1 vaccine. The two doses need to be separated by 4 weeks (28 days). Children being immunized at a Health Department clinic will be able to return to the Health Department's H1N1 clinic at the Gurnee location (this location is expected to operate for 4-6 months), or they can go to their medical provider. Children over the age of 9 and adults will only need to receive one dose.
I already received my seasonal flu vaccine. When can I get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine? Can the seasonal flu vaccine be given at the same time as the 2009 H1N1 vaccine?
When you can get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine depends on what type of seasonal influenza vaccine you received and what type of 2009 H1N1 vaccine you would like to receive.
Seasonal Flu Vaccine 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Interval
Live Attenuated Intranasal Live Attenuated Intranasal 28 days
Vaccine (Flu Mist) Vaccine (Flu Mist)
Live Attenuated Intranasal Inactivated Vaccine ('flu shot") None
Vaccine (Flu Mist)
Inactivated Vaccine ("flu shot') Live Attenuated Intranasal None
Vaccine (Flu Mist)
Inactivated Vaccine ("flu shot") Inactivated Vaccine ("flu shot") None
If I come to one of the Lake County Health Department clinics, am I guaranteed a vaccination?
The clinics are dependent on vaccine availability. A delay in vaccine distribution may limit our supply at a particular clinic or cause us to reschedule some of the clinics. Any changes will be posted on our web site. Please regularly visit our web site for updates at: www.lakecountyil.gov/health.
For further information, please contact the H1N1 hotline: 847.377.8350 |
|
Frequently asked Questions about H1N1 |
| I am providing a link to the Center for Disease Control in the event you have questions regarding the vaccine.
|
|
Print Prescription Drug Card Here |
County residents can take advantage of a prescription drug discount card program. The free card that is accepted at most pharmacies offers savings off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs. This is intended for people without prescription coverage or on medicines not covered by your plan. The card may also be used where accepted to fill prescriptions for pets. To print a card, click here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
