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Updated:
11/18/09
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H1N1 VACCINE AVAILABILITY in Thurston County |
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Currently H1N1 (swine flu)
vaccine is available in very
limited supply through local
health care providers with HIGH
RISK patients. |
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In early December we expect
to have enough H1N1 vaccine to
begin supporting HIGH RISK
community-based clinics. This
means that as many as 15-25
locations, such as area
pharmacies, will have vaccine
for county residents who have
been unable to get immunized
through their doctor or clinic.
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The Health Department has
received less than 20% of the
H1N1 vaccine that is coming to
Thurston County, meaning the
rest has yet to arrive. We have
been told the pace is expected
to increase over the next
several weeks so that H1N1
vaccine will be more widely
available in December-February.
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Federal guidelines are used to
determine who is at HIGH RISK
for complications from H1N1
Influenza. To learn more about
who is getting vaccine first and
why, please visit:
www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/h1n1_vaccine.htm |
For information
and updates on H1N1 Influenza (Swine
Flu), please
call the Thurston County Public Health
and Social Services Public Information
Line at:
(360)
709-3080
(Quick Search):
H1N1 Influenza, also called swine flu,
is a new virus. Because of this
people do not have immunity. A
vaccine has been developed for H1N1 flu,
and is becoming available nationwide but
is currently in limited supply.
H1N1 Influenza is a type of influenza
which means it is a respiratory disease
that is spread from person-to-person by
coming into contact with the germs
spread when someone who is infected
coughs or sneezes. Symptoms of include
fever, cough, and sore throat. In
addition, fatigue, lack of appetite,
runny nose, nausea, vomiting and
diarrhea can occur. Fever and cough are key.
Influenza is not like the common cold.
People who
are sick should:
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Stay home from work, childcare,
school or public gatherings when you
are sick with a fever and cough.
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Drink plenty of fluids to prevent
dehydration.
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Cough into your sleeve or cover your
mouth and nose with a tissue when
you cough and sneeze. Dispose of
tissues in a covered container and
wash your hands.
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Call your health care provider if
you or a family member is sick
enough to need medical care.
People
should continue to take basic
precautions that can help prevent the
spread of any type of influenza, These include:
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Washing your hands often using soap,
warm water, and paper towels, use a
commercially available hand
sanitizer if soap and water are not
available.
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Keeping your hands away from your
nose, eyes and mouth.
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Staying away from people who are
sick.
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Avoid large crowds.
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Do not share snacks, food, drinks or
cigarettes with others.
The following
information has been provided by the
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
(CDC) unless otherwise noted:
RESOURCES FOR
PREGNANT WOMEN
QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
For more
information about H1N1 Influenza, call
the Thurston County Public Health &
Social Service Public Information Line
for up-to-date information at
(360) 709-3080.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
UPDATES FROM DR. YU
PUBLIC HEALTH
BULLETINS
FACT SHEETS/HANDOUTS
FOR PROVIDERS
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