Extra: H1N1 Flu Update
**Click here to locate a 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine provider near you**
Although the H1N1 flu is no longer considered widespread in Georgia, it is still circulating and causing illness, hospitalizations and deaths. The H1N1 flu has proven unpredictable and it's possible that Coastal Health District counties could see another wave. There is plenty of vaccine available in all health departments throughout the Coastal Health District counties (Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh) and everyone over six months of age is encouraged to get vaccinated.
Because both H1N1 and seasonal flu are spread mainly from person to person, it's important that we all do everything we can to prevent the spread of germs. Following these few simple guidelines can help protect us all:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water during the day, especially before and after eating snacks or meals, after using the bathroom. If soap and water isn't available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Or, cough into a tissue and then dispose of the tissue.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Germs spread this way.
Teaching these hygiene habits to children is also very important.
Of course the best way to avoid getting the H1N1 flu is to get vaccinated. The H1N1 vaccine is safe and has proven effective in fighting H1N1 flu. It's best to call your healthcare provider or health department to check on availability of the vaccine before arriving.
Those at higher risk of developing complications from the H1N1 flu are still strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those groups include:
- Pregnant women
- Household contacts and caregivers of children less than six months of age
- Healthcare and emergency services personnel
- All people six months to 24 years of age
- Persons aged 24 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza
About the H1N1 Vaccine
There are two forms of the vaccine: the flu shot, an inactivated vaccine containing fragments of killed influenza virus, and a nasal spray, which is made using a weakened live flu virus. Although the nasal spray consists of a live, weakened virus, it cannot cause the flu.
The H1N1 vaccine is made using the same procedures used to make regular seasonal flu. It has been tested in clinical trials and licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The nasal spray is recommended for healthy people ages 2 to 49; however, the nasal spray vaccine should not be given to the following:
- Children younger than 2 and adults 50 years and older
- Pregnant women
- Anyone with a weakened immune system
- Anyone with a long-term health problem such as heart disease, kidney or liver disease, lung disease, metabolic disease such as diabetes, asthma, anemia and other blood disorders
- Children younger than 5 years with asthma or one or more episodes of wheezing during the past year
- Anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems
- Anyone in close contact with a person with a severely weakened immune system (requiring care in a protected environment, such as a bone marrow transplant unit)
- Children or adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment
Children under 10 should get two doses of vaccine, about a month apart. Older children and adults need only one dose.
Who should not be vaccinated against the seasonal flu or 2009 H1N1?
- People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs
- People who have had a severe reaction after a previous dose of influenza vaccine
- People who developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within 6 weeks of getting a flu vaccine
- Children less than 6 months of age
More facts about the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine:
- Each year, a new vaccine is developed for seasonal flu based on the flu strains that are expected to cause the most illness that year. A vaccine for H1N1 flu has been developed in much the same way. Scientists isolated the H1N1 virus and made a vaccine to combat it.
- Clinical trials conducted by the National Institutes of Health and the vaccine manufacturers have shown that the new H1N1 vaccine is both safe and effective.
- The FDA has licensed the H1N1 vaccine.
- Even more rigorous tests have been performed on the H1N1 vaccine than for other flu vaccines, and there have been no red flags from these clinical trials.
- Top doctors and scientists believe the risk of the flu, especially for pregnant women, children, and people with underlying health conditions, is higher than any risk that might come from the H1N1 vaccine.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has received no reports of serious adverse events from people who have received the H1N1 vaccine to date in the clinical trials.
For more information, call the Coastal Health District H1N1 information line at 1-888-497-8444 or the state of Georgia's H1N1 hotline at 1-888-H1N1-INFO (1-888-416-1463).
Click here for more information about H1N1 Influenza
WWW Address: http://www.gachd.org/extra/novel_h1n1_influenza_vaccine_i.php