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Saline County Health Department Assistant Administrator Russ Donnell is working hard to make sure the county is prepared for the virus. Donnell is currently writing a plan for mass vaccination that must be turned in to the state by the end of August.
"It's coming together," he said about the plan. "We're fine-tuning it right now."
According to USA Today, the government has ordered about 195 million vaccines for H1N1, though perhaps only 45 million will be available for distribution by mid-October. Donnell said this is partly because the vaccine is still undergoing clinical trials.
When Saline County receives its share of the doses, they will all be distributed through the health department. Donnell said he hopes the department can work with other facilities in the county to administer the vaccines.
"We're in the process of contacting community partners now," he said.
Because the doses are limited, they will be administered on a "priority algorithm," Donnell said.
The first algorithm has five categories: first, pregnant women; second, people who live with or care for children under 6 months of age; third, health care and emergency medical personnel who have direct contact with persons infected with the H1N1 virus; fourth, children aged 6 months to 4 years; and fifth, children aged 5 to 18 with chronic medical conditions.
After completing the above, the second algorithm will be used. It also has five groups: first, pregnant women; second, people who live with or care for children under 6 months of age; third, health care and emergency medical personnel; fourth, children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years; and fifth, people aged 25 to 64 considered high risk because of chronic health disorders and compromised immune systems.
After all these priority groups have received vaccines, doses will be available to the general public.
One thing vaccine recipients won't have to worry about is cost.
"There is no charge for the vaccine," Donnell said. "It's being provided by the government."
Donnell also emphasized that receiving the H1N1 vaccine is completely optional.
"It is not mandatory," he said. "We are not going to line people up and make them take this shot."
However, getting a vaccine for the disease is recommended because the flu virus is considered "novel."
"The largest part of the population does not have any antibodies for it," Donnell said.
It is also important to know that the H1N1 vaccine will not protect against seasonal flu, Donnell said. Despite that, he recommends that people continue to get the regular flu shot, which should be available around Oct. 1.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, H1N1 virus presents similarly to seasonal flu. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people who have contracted the disease also suffered from diarrhea and vomiting.
The virus also spreads in the same basic ways as traditional flu.
The CDC recommends people take the following actions to protect themselves: cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing, though alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth; and try to avoid close contact with sick people.
For those sick with flu-like symptoms, the CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone, except to get medical care or for other necessities.
Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net
On the Net:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm
Comments
Third Child-They are not adding adjuvant to this vaccine-yet. No one has died in the trials either. However, your scaremongering over this vaccine may make people in this community NOT get the vax and could lead to complications from the virus and possibly death. I respect anyone who wants to research the issue before they make a decision. I was also one of those parents who made the Dr. Office order in preservative free vax for my child, but lots of people will read what you posted and refuse to vax. Stop it. It's reckless and dangerous.
Vaccine may be more dangerous than the swine flu
By Dr. Russell Blaylock
Please do some research before you take the shots.
http://www.pandemicfluonline.com/?p=206
"The vaccine contains an oil-based "adjuvant" containing "squalene." Adjuvants are used to boost an immune response. Squalene, which is a causal factor in Gulf War illness, causes crippling arthritis and premature death in about 100 percent of lab animals and has been associated with autoimmune diseases and premature death in people as well. Early reports of trials with the H1N1 vaccine show that the vaccine is already maiming and killing people. It appears certain that those who take the vaccine may not get the flu but can expect to die a painful and premature death--and WHO et. al know it."
Momaster-I was suprised too. I am not sure that they realize that teachers can be vectors too. The guidance could still change though...
I find it amazing that in the "algorithms" as published in the MDC nowhere is there mention of vaccinating those who work with children and teenagers...i.e. school personnel. They are around the kids all day, sometimes more than the parents.
Here is the overall pediatric death info directly copied from CDC website. This part is not a break down of pre-existing and non, I will continue to look for it, but keep in mind that some of these deaths that will be considered pre-existing are common things like asthma. Maybe your fine with that Third Child, I am not-my child has this very common "pre-existing" condition. Go to the CDC website and find the mortality and hospitalization info.
(begin clip) Four influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to CDC during week 32 (Arizona, Florida, Washington, and Wisconsin). These deaths were associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection. The deaths reported this week occurred between June 21 and July 18, 2009. Since September 28, 2008, CDC has received 105 reports of influenza-associated pediatric deaths that occurred during the current influenza season, 37 of which were due to 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infections.
Of the 44 children who had specimens collected for bacterial culture from normally sterile sites, 16 (36.4%) were positive; Staphylococcus aureus was identified in 10 (62.5%) of the 16 children. Four of the S. aureus isolates were sensitive to methicillin and six were methicillin resistant. Fourteen (87.5%) of the 16 children with bacterial coinfections were five years of age or older and 10 (62.5%) of the 16 children were 12 years of age or older. Thirteen (35.1%) of the 37 children with confirmed 2009 influenza A (H1N1) infection had a specimen collected from a normally sterile site; two (15.4%) of the 13 children had a positive bacterial culture (methicillin resistant S. aureus and Streptococcus constellatus). An increase in the number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths with bacterial coinfections was first recognized during the 2006-07 influenza season. In January 2008, interim testing and reporting recommendations were released regarding influenza and bacterial coinfections in children and are available at (http://www2a.cdc.gov/HAN/ArchiveSys/ViewMsgV.asp?AlertNum=00268).
"Novel" Flu Virus
Russ Donnell:
"It is not mandatory," he said. "We are not going to line people up and make them take this shot."
But, there ARE plans and legislation that spells out forced vaccinations and quarantines to be carried out by military forces. Obama could order it done tommorow and Mr. Donnell's assigned job would be to follow those orders.
Assurances from Mr. Donnell that this can't happen aren't all that assuring.
Were any of these plans discussed at the meeting?
"I hope people understand that there have been perfectly healthy kids who have died from this virus, not just those with "pre-existing" conditions."
What is the resource for this information?
I am very glad to finally see some reporting about this in our area. Children are back in school and some schools are already seeing illness. Please continue to keep the public informed and press local authorities for answers. This disease could become quite serious in the next few weeks to months and you at the paper play a vital role in keeping children safe. I hope people understand that there have been perfectly healthy kids who have died from this virus, not just those with "pre-existing" conditions. Please keep us informed.
www.marshallnews.com/topic/flu_news09/
Here's what the Centers for Disease Control has to say about adults over 65 and swine flu:
"In seasonal flu, certain people are at "high risk" of serious complications. This includes people 65 years and older, children younger than five years old, pregnant women, and people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. About 70 percent of people who have been hospitalized with this novel H1N1 virus have had one or more medical conditions previously recognized as placing people at "high risk" of serious seasonal flu-related complications. This includes pregnancy, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and kidney disease."
"One thing that appears to be different from seasonal influenza is that adults older than 64 years do not yet appear to be at increased risk of novel H1N1-related complications thus far. CDC laboratory studies have shown that no children and very few adults younger than 60 years old have existing antibody to novel H1N1 flu virus; however, about one-third of adults older than 60 may have antibodies against this virus. It is unknown how much, if any, protection may be afforded against novel H1N1 flu by any existing antibody."
CatLover - The over 65 group isn't as susceptible to swine flu as they are to seasonal flu - that's why they're not included in the priority group for H1N1.
OMG! "algorithm"? And the health office will be the only facility to receive the doses? Welcome to socialized medicine.......
Where do the 65 and over fit into your select
groups. It seems they would be at very high risk.