H1N1 Information

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WASHTENAW COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CONFIRMS HOURS FOR H1N1 CLINIC Wristbands Available Starting at 9:00 am on Sunday, November 22 at EMU
YPSILANTI, Mich., Nov 17, 2009 —Washtenaw County Public Health Department will provide H1N1 vaccinations to priority groups at a mass clinic on Sunday, Nov 22nd at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Convocation Center. The Center is located at 799 N. Hewitt, Ypsilanti MI 48197. Vaccinations will begin at 10:00 am and continue until 7:00 pm, or until the last person with a wristband is served. Wristbands will be provided to eligible persons starting at 9:00 am, one hour prior to the clinic opening. A wristband indicates the individual has been screened for eligibility and a dose is available. Wristbands are first come, first served, while supplies last. Parents and guardians may pick up wristbands for their children and return with the children at the appointed time. A parent or guardian must accompany minors under 18 during vaccination. In addition, individuals may pick up wristbands for persons with physical disabilities affecting mobility. An individual must be wearing a wristband to receive an H1N1 vaccination.
“With our limited H1N1 vaccine supplies, we remain focused on those persons most at risk of severe complications. We are also continuing our strategy of providing vaccinations to large numbers of county residents at central locations,” said Dr. Diana Torres-Burgos, MD, MPH, Medical Director for Washtenaw County Public Health. She went on to say that mass vaccination clinics are only one part of Public Health’s overall distribution strategy: “Our local hospitals, universities and community health care providers are also receiving limited supplies of the vaccines,” she continued.
Sunday’s clinic at EMU is open to persons in the priority groups defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The clinic is walk-in only. Public Health staff will screen and provide wristbands to eligible persons on site, starting at 9:00 am. Wristbands correspond to a specific time slot. Individuals may choose to wait, or to return during the appointed time.
There will be some sheltered space for waiting once the clinic opens.

All persons are asked to dress appropriately for the weather.
According to CDC guidelines, priority groups for H1N1 vaccine include:

•    Pregnant women

•    Household and caregiver contacts of infants younger than 6 months of age

•    Health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient care

•    Individuals from 6 months though 24 years of age

•    Individuals 25 through 64 years with medical conditions that put them at a higher risk of influenza-
related complications

Examples of underlying medical conditions include: chronic lung diseases such as asthma or COPD; weakened immune systems; cancer, diabetes, kidney or liver disorders; cardiovascular disease (except hypertension); and other conditions. Individuals within these priority groups should live, work or attend school in Washtenaw County. Specific documentation of underlying medical conditions or residency is not required. Health care and emergency services personnel should bring their employment identification.
Public Health will provide both H1N1 flu shots and the FluMist (nasal spray) at Sunday’s clinic. Preservative free, injectable H1N1 vaccine is not currently available at the scheduled clinic.
Public Health reminds residents to use basic prevention strategies to avoid illness and to seek medical care when needed:
•    Wash hands frequently with soap and water. Alcohol-based hand gels are also effective.

•    Stay home if you are sick. Stay home at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever without fever-
reducing drugs.

•    Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or who appear ill.

•    Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze by using a tissue or your sleeve/elbow.

•    Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

•    Contact your health care provider for any of the following: difficulty breathing, bluish color skin, not
drinking enough fluids, irritability, symptoms that improve then worsen or if the person with flu symptoms has an underlying medical condition.

For updates to the H1N1 vaccination clinic schedule, visit www.ewashtenaw.org/flu. Public health nurses and health educators are available to answer more detailed questions 734-544-6700.

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WASHTENAW COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCES H1N1 CLINIC DETAILS Additional H1N1 Mass Vaccination Date Set
YPSILANTI, Mich., Nov 4, 2009 — Washtenaw County Public Health Department is providing H1N1 vaccinations to high priority groups at a mass vaccination clinic scheduled for Thursday Nov 5th at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Convocation Center, 799 N. Hewitt, Ypsilanti MI 48197. Another H1N1 vaccination clinic date is now confirmed for Saturday, November 14th; location and hours to be announced.
H1N1 vaccine supplies remain limited. Thursday’s clinic at EMU is open to persons in high priority groups, based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The clinic is walk-in only. Public Health staff will screen and provide wristbands to eligible persons. Wristbands will correspond to a two- hour time slot. Individuals may choose to wait, or to return during the appointed time. Individuals will not be allowed in the building until approximately 9:00 am. H1N1 vaccinations will begin at 10:00 am and continue until 7:00 pm, or until the last person with a wristband is served. Public Health anticipates providing approximately 4,000 wristbands to eligible individuals.
“We are looking forward to a smooth, safe and efficient process on Thursday,” says Public Health Medical Director, Diana Torres-Burgos, MD, MPH. “We are doing everything possible to reach those most at risk with the H1N1 vaccine we have available,” she continued.
An individual must have a wristband to receive an H1N1 vaccination. A wristband does not guarantee a vaccination; it confirms the availability of a dose and eligibility according to high priority groups. Private medical screening will take place inside the clinic. Preservative free, injectable H1N1 vaccine is not currently available at this clinic.
Public Health expects the larger facility and increased staffing to reduce waiting times, especially for those that may be in more fragile health. EMU Convocation Center provides ample parking, and Public Health has
arranged for portable toilets and water outside the facility. In addition, there will be limited, sheltered space for waiting once the clinic opens. All persons are asked to dress appropriately for the weather.
According to CDC guidelines, high priority groups for H1N1 vaccine while supplies remain limited include:

•    Pregnant women

•    Household and caregiver contacts of children younger than 6 months of age

•    Children from 6 months though 4 years of age
•    Children and adolescents aged 5 through 18 years who have medical conditions associated with a higher risk of influenza complications
•    Health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient care
Individuals within these priority groups should live, work or attend school in Washtenaw County. Specific documentation of underlying medical conditions is not necessary; health care and emergency services personnel should bring their employment identification.
For updates to the H1N1 vaccination clinic schedule, visit www.ewashtenaw.org/flu. Public health nurses and health educators are available to answer more detailed questions 734-544-6700.

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YPSILANTI, Mich., Oct. 29, 2009 – The Washtenaw County Public Health Department is intensifying H1N1 vaccination efforts targeting high priority groups, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A mass vaccination clinic for high priority groups is scheduled for Eastern Michigan University (EMU), Convocation Center on Thursday, Nov 5th from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. The Center is located at 299 North Hewitt Road, Ypsilanti MI 48197. All school-based clinics tentatively scheduled to begin next week are now cancelled. Public Health officials made this decision in consultation with area school superintendents. Parents are being notified of the change through their schools.
“Mass vaccination is the most efficient way of getting scarce vaccine into high priority populations,” says Dr. Diana Torres-Burgos, MD, MPH, Medical Director for Washtenaw County Public Health. “H1N1 vaccine is still limited to high priority groups, and we want to make that process as expedient and safe as possible.” Instead of offering H1N1 vaccine at school locations throughout the county, we are selecting a large, central location in order to speed up the process and reach those most at risk, she continued. Plans are already in place at Public Health to run mass vaccination clinics; however, limited and uncertain supplies of H1N1 vaccination have made activating plans problematic.
According to CDC guidelines, high priority groups eligible for H1N1 vaccine while supplies remain limited include:

• Pregnant women Household and caregiver contacts of children younger than 6 months of age
• Children from 6 months though 4 years of age Children and adolescents aged 5 through 18 years who have medical conditions associated with a higher risk of influenza complications Health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient care
• Individuals within these priority groups should live, work or attend school in Washtenaw County. Specific documentation of underlying medical conditions is not necessary; health care and emergency services personnel should bring their employment identification.

While the larger venue will allow for ample parking and some sheltered waiting areas, all persons should be prepared to wait. They should bring food and water for themselves, if at all possible. Persons should also dress appropriately for the weather.
Tuesday evening’s H1N1 clinic at Washtenaw Intermediate School District provided H1N1 vaccine to nearly 1,000 high priority individuals. Public Health is anticipating approximately 4,000 doses will be available for next Thursday’s mass vaccination clinic at EMU Convocation Center. Additional staff and volunteers will be available to expedite the process.
“We appreciate the public’s patience with this ever changing situation,” says Richard Fleece, Health Officer for Washtenaw County Public Health. A clinic Tuesday evening at Washtenaw Intermediate School District drew long lines. Next week’s smaller school-based clinics are cancelled in favor of a mass vaccination clinic at a larger venue with ample parking and more space. “We hope opening a larger clinic will make receiving an H1N1 vaccination easier and more comfortable for our high priority groups,” continued Mr. Fleece.
As more H1N1 vaccine is received locally, there will be more opportunities to receive the vaccine from hospitals, health care providers and Public Health. Currently, Public Health anticipates increased H1N1 vaccine supplies will be available by the end of November.
For updates to the H1N1 vaccination clinic schedule, visit www.ewashtenaw.org/flu. Public health nurses and health educators are available to answer more detailed questions 734-544-6700.

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Click here to downland the Flu Comparison Sheet.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:                        October 21, 2009

WASHTENAW COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ANNOUNCES H1N1

VACCINATION CLINICS FOR PRIORITY GROUPS

H1N1 Vaccine Supply is More Limited than Anticipated

YPSILANTI, Mich., Oct. 21, 2009 – The Washtenaw County Public Health Department is ramping up its H1N1 vaccine distribution plans in response to a limited vaccine supply and increased flu activity in the community. The H1N1 vaccine supply is only about 30% of what was expected by this time. Public Health is narrowing the priority groups to those most at risk and scheduling H1N1 vaccination clinics to reach these groups sooner, all in accordance to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The first opportunity for prioritized, high-risk individuals to receive H1N1 vaccine is Tuesday, October 27 from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Washtenaw Intermediate School District facility, 1819 S. Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. School-based H1N1 vaccination clinics for the redefined priority groups will begin on November 2^nd, 2009.

Individuals within the following priority groups are currently eligible for H1N1 vaccination:

• pregnant women,
• household and caregiver contacts of children under 6 months of age,
• children 6 months though 4 years,
• children 5 to 18 years who have medical conditions associated with a higher risk of influenza complications, and
• health care and emergency medical services personnel who provide direct patient care.

“Given our limited supply, we have to concentrate on vaccinating those children and adults most at risk of complications,” says Richard Fleece, Health Officer for Washtenaw County Public Health. He said the Health Department hoped to have adequate vaccine to operate mass H1N1 vaccination clinics at public schools starting in November. Now, however, H1N1 vaccination clinics will begin earlier, but they will only offer vaccine to more specific priority groups.

School-based vaccination clinics for the redefined priority groups are scheduled to begin the first week of November. The amount of H1N1 vaccine actually available at these clinics will be smaller than anticipated. Dates and locations for the first week of November are as follows. Individuals prioritized for vaccinations should live, work or attend school within Washtenaw County; individuals do not need to live within the specified school district to attend the vaccination clinic.

H1N1 Vaccination Clinics for Prioritized Groups. Hours are while supplies last.

Limited amounts of H1N1 vaccine have been allocated to hospitals and enrolled health care providers with the expectation that providers can identify those most at risk among their patients.

The H1N1 influenza virus continues to circulate in our community. Reports of confirmed cases in Washtenaw County residents increased sharply for the week ending October 17, 2009. There are three new hospitalizations. Several school districts are reporting increased absenteeism. No schools have been closed in Washtenaw County, although there are closures in other parts of Michigan. No deaths due to the H1N1 virus have been reported in Washtenaw County.

It is important to continue promoting basic prevention strategies which can slow or stop the spread of illness:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash.
• 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 or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible.

Updated information will be available by visiting www.ewashtenaw.org/flu. If individuals have more detailed questions about H1N1 influenza or vaccine, Public Health nurses and health educators are available to answer questions 734-544-6700. Callers who speak languages other than English may request translation.

For more information about Washtenaw County Public Health and local flu activity, please visit:

www.ewashtenaw.org/flu. For more information about H1N1 activity nationally or about the CDC-identified priority groups, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.

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Q:  I have one sick child and my other children are not showing symptoms.  Should I send them to school?

A:  Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and and Prevention (CDC) as well as the Washtenaw County Public Health Department do not recommend that siblings of children diagnosed with the H1N1 virus be excluded from school unless they are showing symptoms of the virus. If your other children are not running a fever they are ok to come to school.

Email our School Nurses – Mrs. Karan Hervey at hervekar@saline.k12.mi.us or Mr. Ken Romans at romansk@saline.k12.mi.us if you have more questions.

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Saline Families,

As you prepare for a new year at the Saline Area Schools, I’d like to share some information related to H1N1 flu. Unlike most flu strains, it is affecting young people more frequently than older adults, so we expect a number of cases in our district this fall. As in so many things, teamwork is key. I want you to know what the Saline Area Schools is doing and what you can do to protect your health and keep on track academically.

Our main source of information is www.ewashtenaw.org. There, you will find up-to-date developments and detailed information, including prevention tips, guidance on when to seek medical care, and suggestions for items you may want to bring to school with you to be prepared for possible illness.

Fortunately, the H1N1 flu remains relatively mild at this time and most people who have had it have recovered quickly and fully without medical intervention. References to this flu are also changing. H1N1 is proving to be very similar to seasonal flu, and because health officials are no longer routinely testing for this strain, it is now being referred to as Influenza-Like Illness (ILI). You will probably see both terms used.

We are monitoring flu updates, working closely with local and state public health officials, following the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control, and tapping the expertise of our own State of Michigan medical experts. The guidance at this point is that otherwise healthy individuals can treat this variety of the flu just as they would any other strain of “regular” flu. That is, treat the symptoms, get plenty of rest, restrict activities to avoid spreading the virus to others, and seek medical help if the symptoms become severe. A vaccine for the H1N1 flu will not be widely available for some months, but everyone is urged to get the seasonal flu vaccine, as that will cut down on overall illness.

The district plan emphasizes prevention measures and guidance to students, faculty, and staff about what to do if they become ill. These include:

• Maintain good general health through adequate sleep, exercise and nutrition.
• Wash hands frequently and avoid touching face.
• Stay home or go home if you are experiencing ILI symptoms to avoid spreading the virus to others, including not  attending school.
• Seek medical advice or care if your temperature is above 102 degrees F, difficulty breathing, severe vomiting and/or diarrhea, or other severe symptoms. Those with lesser symptoms can generally treat with over-the-counter medications, rest, and fluids.

While we can predict that there will be cases of the flu in the District (and throughout the world), the number and nature is unknown. We are prepared to react to changes, but at this time we expect to be operating in a normal manner, with extra attention to disease prevention and close monitoring of the situation.

Please check the web site for updates, and follow the tips and seek assistance from Saline Area Schools as needed.

Ken Romans, Middle and High School District Nurse at romansk@saline.k12.mi.us

Karan Hervey, Elementary District Nurse at hervekar@saline.k12.mi.us

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