Rt. 53, Rt. 22 and H1N1 News

Flu activity in Lake County, statewide and nationally continues to increase with higher rates of school absenteeism, increased proportion of visits to healthcare providers for influenza-like-illness and increased number of hospitalizations and deaths.

More than 10,000 Lake County residents were vaccinated against H1N1 last week through five walk-in clinics coordinated by the Lake County Health Department. We also distributed approximately 2,000 doses of vaccine to some healthcare workers with direct patient contact and first responders. At this time we have depleted our vaccine supply but are expecting more shipments soon.

Please remember that this is merely the beginning of a long-term vaccine campaign and more vaccine will be arriving in Lake County. There are over 300,000 people in Lake County that are in the high priority target group to receive H1N1 vaccine. Over 430 providers in Lake County have requested and are committed to providing H1N1 vaccine, including medical providers, pharmacies and hospitals. As you are probably aware, there have been manufacturing delays that have caused the H1N1 vaccine to arrive much slower than previously anticipated. This has caused great frustration and anxiety, but we have been assured that vaccines will be available to anybody who wants one.

This is a long-term campaign that will continue for months and we will continue working closely with other health care providers, pharmacies, schools, colleges and large businesses to distribute vaccine to high priority groups. We expect that in the coming months everyone who wants a shot will be able to receive one. More than 430 local providers and facilities registered to receive vaccine in the county. We will continue to keep you informed of additional information regarding flu vaccine distribution.

As future Health Department vaccination clinics and plans are available, information will be shared publicly and will be available through the Health Department's Flu Hotline, 847.377.8350 and web page,

www.lakecountyil.gov/health/h1n1.htm

For an inside look at LCHD's media briefing on 10/29, check out this video:

http://lakecnty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=361

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