Update:
December 9, 2009
School Based H1N1 Vaccination Clinics to be Completed by December 18
Anti-viral Medications Available to Under- and Uninsured
School Based H1N1 Vaccination Clinics to be Completed by December 18
The Tompkins County Health Department is providing H1N1 vaccinations for students in the Ithaca City School District and private schools this week and next:
- Monday, December 7 – Caroline Elementary
- Tuesday, December 8 – Enfield, Alternative School (LACS)
- Wednesday, December 9 – Belle Sherman
- Thursday, December 10 – North East and Cayuga Heights Schools
- Friday, December 11 – South Hill Elementary, New Roots School (New Roots students will be vaccinated at TCHD)
- Monday, December 14 – Dewitt and Boynton Middle Schools
- Tuesday, December 15 – Clinic at Beverly J. Martin School (BJM). Students from Fall Creek, Immaculate Conception, Montessori schools, Cascadilla, Racker Center, Waldorf, and home schools will be vaccinated at the BJM clinic.
- Wednesday, December 16 – Ithaca High School
Tompkins County residents who are in the priority groups for H1N1 vaccination may call the Tompkins County Health Department at 274-6609 and leave their name and phone number. They will be called back with an appointment for vaccination as the H1N1 vaccine becomes available.
Anti-viral Medications Available to Under- and Uninsured
On December 7th the New York State Department of Health began a program to provide anti-viral medications for New Yorkers who are under- or uninsured or who cannot afford the associated costs of obtaining the medication.
Anti-viral medications which include Tamiflu and Relenza can only be obtained through a prescription. Health care providers might prescribe anti-viral medications for those at highest risk of serious complications from the flu.
The anti-viral medication is being provided through participating pharmacies. To date, Rite Aid and Kinney Drugs are participating in Tompkins County. Pharmacies may charge a $5.00 dispensing fee but may waive that fee if the person is unable to pay it.
Guidelines for eligibility are minimal and do not require any form of identification and/or proof of health care coverage or financial status. Medical providers will write, “Dispense from NYS Stockpile,” directly on the prescription itself. Patients may also state at the participating pharmacy that they do not have prescription coverage or that they cannot afford to purchase the antiviral medication.
For more information on the anti-viral distribution program and an updated list of participating pharmacies go to: www.nyhealth.gov/diseases/communicable/influenza/h1n1/public/free_antiviral_medicines/
Holidays are busy with a lot of activity and social gatherings.
It’s important to remember to cover coughs and sneezes and to wash your hands frequently.
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 a 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)
TCHD Flu Hotline: 607-274-6609
Seasonal flu and H1N1 flu 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
Overseas Travel
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.
Page updated: December 16, 2009 | Webmaster