Update:
December 23, 2009
TCHD to Open Up H1N1 Vaccination to All Tompkins County Residents
NYSDOH providing H1N1 vaccine to pharmacies that registered to receive it
Holiday Hygiene
TCHD to Open Up H1N1 Vaccination to All Tompkins County Residents
Tompkins County Health Department (TCHD) has completed all school-based H1N1 vaccination clinics; TCHD provided H1N1 vaccinations to students in all five school districts in the County. The Department will continue to take the names and phone numbers of people in priority groups who want to be immunized with H1N1 vaccine until December 29, 2009. They will be called back to schedule an appointment as vaccine becomes available. After that date, those in priority groups will be vaccinated at clinics open to all County residents.
In January, TCHD will begin vaccinating anyone 6 months of age and above who wants a H1N1 immunization. Details including dates, times and location are not available at this time. Check this Web site and the local media for updates.
TCHD will provide the second dose of H1N1 vaccination in January for children whose physician does not have the vaccine. Children under the age of ten need a second dose of the vaccine for optimal immune response. The second dose is administered approximately one month after the first. Parents and caregivers may call TCHD at 607-274-6609 to make an appointment for their child.
H1N1 vaccine coming to some pharmacies
The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is providing H1N1 vaccine to pharmacies in New York State that registered to receive the vaccine. When pharmacies receive the vaccine, they may vaccinate anyone above the age of six months. At this point in time TCHD is not aware of any pharmacy in the County that is providing the vaccine.
To locate a pharmacy in the area that is providing the vaccine go to www.flu.gov. Enter your zip code in the area “Flu Locator,” hit the “go” button and a list of pharmacies will appear. Check frequently for updates.
Statewide update
For the week ending December 12, the CDC reports that H1N1 influenza has declined in most states as compared to previous reports. However, in New York State H1N1 is still widespread. The CDC defines widespread as “outbreaks of flu or influenza-like illness cases and recent laboratory-confirmed influenza in at least half the regions of the state with recent laboratory evidence of influenza in the state.” For more information on influenza activity, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/update.htm
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 Web sites:
• 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 web site. 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 22, 2009 | Webmaster