Worth County Public Health Press Release
For Immediate Release
For
months, two primary questions about H1N1 influenza have been circulating. When
will the H1N1 vaccine arrive and who should get it? The first question has been
answered as shipments of the H1N1 vaccine begin arriving in
Allocation
of the vaccine to
As
for who should receive the vaccine, Worth County is following CDC guidelines,
which state the H1N1 vaccine should first be made available to the following
priority groups:
·
pregnant women,
·
people who live with or care for children younger than 6
months of age,
·
health care and emergency medical services personnel,
·
persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of
age, and
·
people from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher
risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune
systems.
Because
the first shipment of H1N1 vaccine is in the form of a nasal spray, which is
not recommended for some people (such as pregnant women and children with
asthma), it is important to talk to your health care provider about getting the
vaccination.
The
seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine can be given at the same time and at
any time in any sequence with one exception: if using the live nasal spray
vaccine for both the seasonal flu and H1N1, they should be given 4 weeks apart
to ensure the best protection from both vaccines.
In
addition, it remains important to take personal actions to prevent the spread
of the virus:
·
Cover your cough,
·
Clean your hands,
and
·
Contain germs by
staying home when ill.
A
statewide toll-free hotline has been established for public questions about
seasonal and H1N1 influenza at 1-800-447-1985. More information can also be
found at www.idph.state.ia.us.
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