Update:
November 18, 2009
School-Based Clinics Continue
School-based H1N1 flu vaccination clinics are taking place this week at Groton and Trumansburg School Districts. The clinics are intended for students only, no faculty or staff will be vaccinated due to the limited supply of vaccine. H1N1 flu vaccination is voluntary. Last week 498 Newfield Central Schools students were vaccinated.
Tompkins County Health Department holds school-based clinics based on the availability of H1N1 vaccine that the Department receives each week. Plans are being made for clinics at Lansing, Dryden, and Ithaca City School Districts but no dates have been set until enough vaccine is assured to hold a clinic.
School age children are one of the priority groups determined by the Centers for Disease Control to receive H1N1 flu vaccination. That is one of the reasons TCHD is focusing on school-based clinics at this time. Children in a school setting are in close daily proximity to each other which allows influenza-like illness to transmit more easily. Vaccinating children helps to protect others that they may come in contact with including siblings under the age of 6 months and others who are not in the priority groups for H1N1 vaccination. And children often are not as diligent or mindful of practicing hand and cough/sneezing hygiene as adults. School-based clinics also provide an efficient venue for vaccinating a large number of children.
Travel – Holidays and travel to family and friends often go together. Don’t let hygiene measures take a holiday also. And if you’re sick with influenza-like illness, stay home or delay your travel to keep others healthy and to take care of yourself. Those people traveling overseas should check the Centers for Disease Control website. There are some countries, particularly in Asia that are screening travelers for influenza-like illness. For CDC travel updates, visit http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/novel-h1n1-flu.aspx.
TCHD continues to receive many calls about H1N1 vaccine availability. The Department strongly encourages individuals to check in with their medical providers for the vaccine. However, they may call TCHD. The Department is taking names and phone numbers of people in priority groups to be called back for H1N1 vaccination as it’s available. They should be aware that the vaccine may not be available for several weeks. Call 607-274-6609.
Everyday Steps to Prevent Flu
Remember that every day steps to prevent H1N1 flu and seasonal flu go a long way in staying healthy and preventing the spread of disease:
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after it’s used and wash your hands.
- Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow if a tissue is unavailable or that cough or sneeze comes up quickly.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth since germs can spread that way.
- If you have influenza-like-illness (fever greater than a 100◦F with cough or sore throat) stay at home for at least 24 hours after your fever goes away, without using any fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
For more information on seasonal flu and H1N1 flu go to the following websites:
• Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) – www.tompkins-co.org/flu
• New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) – www.nyhealth.gov
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) – www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
Or, Call the TCHD Flu Hotline at 607-274-6609
Page updated: November 25, 2009 | Webmaster