Wright County received its first shipment of vaccine for the novel H1N1 influenza virus two weeks ago, according to Christine Austin-Roehler of Wright County Public Health. The first small shipment was the weakened live virus vaccine in the form of a nasal spray. The initial shipment of the vaccine was distributed to hospitals and clinics for health care and emergency medical workers. Those workers are targeted, complying with federal and state guidance, because they are at risk of being exposed to the virus, and they could expose medically vulnerable patients to the virus if they get sick. In addition, there could be a significant impact on the health care system if they get sick and have to miss work. That strategy helps keep the health care system in good shape to care for people who become ill. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 150 million doses of vaccine will ultimately be available throughout the U.S. That means that anyone who wants the vaccine should be able to get it. Because the vaccine will be distributed to states in various quantities over the coming weeks, those at highest risk of complications from the novel H1N1 influenza will be targeted to receive the vaccine first. High-risk people include: n Pregnant women. n People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age. n Health care and emergency medical services personnel. n People between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old. n People 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. As shipments of vaccine are received by public health in the coming weeks, including the injectable form of the vaccine, it will be distributed to clinics and hospitals for patients who are at most risk of flu complications. That includes pregnant women, caregivers of infants under 6 months, children ages 6 months through 4 years, and children with underlying health conditions, including diabetes and asthma. When adequate amounts of vaccine are received in the county, community clinics will be offered. "It may be well into November before this will occur," Austin-Roehler said. "Community clinics will be scheduled at several sites around the county which will be open to school-age children and those without a clinic home to receive vaccine." Local clinics and hospitals in the county have been seeing an increased number of patients in the last few weeks and that will probably continue. All of the schools in the Wright County area are reporting increased absences. The number of absences right now is more typical of the seasonal influenza season in February and March. Clinics are seeing more people with influenza-like illness than usual for this time of year. It is important not to call clinics to inquire about H1N1 vaccine. At this time the vaccine is not available for the general public. Calls about vaccine tie up the phone lines, making is harder for ill patients to call in. Announcements about vaccine availability and the community clinics will be made through the newspapers, KRWC 1360 AM radio and on the Wright County web site at www.co.wright.mn.us. Minnesota Department of Health officials continue to urge Minnesotans to get the seasonal flu vaccine. People should contact their health care provider or check the flu shot clinic finder at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/flu/index.html to find a time and place where they can get vaccinated. Wright County Public Health has just announced that it no longer has the seasonal flu vaccine for adults. The latest shipment of vaccine was delivered damaged and the manufacturer is not able to ship out a replacement order because no more vaccine was available. Calls to other distributers did not uncover other sources of the vaccine. Wright County does have a small supply of seasonal flu vaccine for children who do not have health insurance to cover the cost of vaccines. Parents can call for information about this children’s flu vaccine at 763-682-7717. To protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of influenza, MDH recommends: – Stay home from work or school – and generally avoid going out in public – if you are sick. Remain home until 24 hours after your symptoms resolve without the aid of fever-reducing medications. – If you are an employer, encourage your employees to stay home if they are sick. – Limit your contact with others who may be ill. – Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze. – Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly – with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub solution. – Clean your hands after shaking hands or having other close contact with other people – before eating or preparing food, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth. – Make sure to take enough fluids while you’re sick. – If you develop possible flu symptoms and you want to consult your health care provider, call before going in for an office visit. You may not need to go in, and if you do need to be seen, a time should be set up when you will not risk exposing others to influenza in the waiting room. – People at risk for severe flu or flu complications should contact their health care provider if they have flu symptoms or have been closely exposed to people with flu symptoms. – Get vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 novel influenza as soon as vaccine becomes available for you. For more information about influenza, visit www.mdhflu.com. The Wright County web site will post current information on H1N1 vaccine availability. Go to www.co.wright.mn.us and look for "H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Alerts." The information will be updated weekly. A Wright County Public Health Flu Information Line is also available with updates at 763-684-2335.
Allina limits visitation
Allina Hospitals & Clinics has placed limits on visitation to its hospital birth centers and pediatrics units due the H1N1 virus. Allina has announced that effective immediately, the following new limitations have been placed on visitation to Allina hospital birth centers and pediatrics units: – Visiting hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Visitors must sign in and be screened for influenza-like illness - Sibling visitors must be age 5 or older - Non-sibling visitors must be age 16 or older - A maximum of three visitors per patient at a time will be allowed. – Visitors must follow strict hand-hygiene procedures by washing hands or using the antibacterial foam provided throughout Allina hospitals. Allina said the health and safety of patients and employees is its top priority. The new visitor policy is designed to protect new mothers, pediatric patients and newborn babies from exposure to the H1N1 virus. According the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health, they are among those most vulnerable to the H1N1 flu. The new policy affects Allina’s 10 general care hospitals in Minnesota and western Wisconsin including Buffalo Hospital.
