Listed here are the priority groups that will be vaccinated due to their high risk.
-Pregnant women
-All people ages 6 months to 24 years
-Caregivers of infants younger than 6 months old
-School teachers & professional childcare providers
-Health care workers & emergency workers
-People ages 25 to 64 with medical conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, or
heart disease
Click below to see the locations in Snohomish County where the H1N1 vaccine will be available between 9 AM and 3 PM:
(more…)
Friday, October 30, 2009
Posts Tagged ‘H1N1’
30,000 H1N1 “swine” flu vaccine doses available this Saturday in Snohomish County
Friday, October 30th, 2009Hurry Up and Wait for H1N1 Flu Shot
Friday, October 30th, 2009Rest assured your wait in line to receive an H1N1 flu shot won’t be as long as going to the DMV… it could be even longer! The Snohomish Health District has reported waits of up to 2 hours to receive a flu shot at a few particular locations including Edmonds, Everett and Mill Creek, while Marysville and Arlington are flying under the radar and reporting minimal or no waiting times.
Thankfully, unlike the DMV, there is a loophole. The district’s flu shot web site shows waiting times at different clinics around the county, so you can plan your visit to get a flu shot strategically.
Flu shots are free for children six months to four years old and for women who are pregnant.
H1N1: When Public Health Meets Public Policy
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News Poll, 52% of Americans are worried that they, or someone close to them, will contract the H1N1 virus (a.k.a. “swine flu”) – up from 39% in August. However, only one third of Americans plan to get the H1N1 vaccine this year, and 52% of parents plan to vaccinate their children. Out of those parents who would not vaccinate their children, 53% said it is because they worry that the vaccine has not been thoroughly tested and thus it could have negative side effects.The Washington Post offers this analysis of the poll results:
The findings illustrate the dueling challenges the federal government faces in its unprecedented effort to protect Americans against the first influenza pandemic in more than four decades. Federal officials have spent at least $2 billion to buy enough vaccine to inoculate at least half the population and pledged to provide the immunization to everyone who wants it.
But vaccine production has lagged behind projections, leaving public health officials scrambling to allocate the limited doses available and frustrating some anxious parents and other people waiting to be immunized. At the same time, there is still a long way to go in federal efforts to convince people of the necessity and safety of the vaccine.
While the cases of H1N1 continue to grow, there is pressure put on the Federal Government to find a vaccination, while at the same the public wants to be assured that the vaccination has been thoroughly studied and tested enough to determine its safety and side effects. Government officials seem optimistic that there is a safe solution:
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano assured the senators that everything is being done as quickly as possible to produce and distribute antiviral drugs and vaccine.
“There will be enough vaccine for every American who wants to be vaccinated,” Sebelius said, repeating reassurances that the vaccine is safe.
Read the entire Washington Post article here.
Homeland Security Secretary announces H1N1 Preparedness Guide for Small Businesses
Monday, September 14th, 2009The Department of Homeland Security has released a preparedness guide to assist small businesses in planning for the H1N1 flu. This effort teams Secretary Janet Napolitano, Department of Homeland Security, Karen Mills, Administrator of the Small Business Administration, and Daniel Jernigan, Deputy Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Influenza Division.
The press release states:
Outbreaks of H1N1 flu are occurring now across the country and will likely coincide with the return of seasonal flu this fall and winter. The preparedness guide offers small business employers tools and information to help them plan for and respond flexibly to varying levels of severity of an H1N1 outbreak—which may lead to increased absenteeism, and, if the outbreak becomes more severe, may include restricted service capabilities and supply chain disruptions. Additional preparations may be necessary if a more serious outbreak evolves during the fall and winter.
“Small businesses play an essential role in our national effort to prepare for all disasters and emergencies—including the H1N1 flu,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This guide will help America’s small businesses maintain continuity of operations and resiliency as the fall flu season approaches.”
Read the report here.