H1N1 flu vaccine now available to everyone

Beginning today, H1N1 flu vaccines now are available to everyone who wants to receive one.

?As before, appointments are required,? said Chris Estle-Tedrow, administrator of the Jefferson County Public Health, and those appointments can be made by calling 472-5929.

Currently, H1N1 vaccination clinics are scheduled from 1-4:30 p.m. Wednesday; 8:30-10:30 a.m. Friday; 1-4:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 22 and 28; and 2-4:30 p.m. Dec. 29, but Estle-Tedrow said additional clinics will be scheduled as needed. Today, the clinic was open from 1-4:30 p.m.

The public health office is scheduled to receive the H1N1 vaccine on a weekly basis, according to Estle-Tedrow.

?Local public health agencies have done a tremendous job during the vaccination campaign and in getting those at highest risk vaccinated,? said Iowa Department of Public Health Director Tom Newton. ?We feel confident that it is now time to expand H1N1 vaccinations to the general public.?

While the H1N1 vaccinations will be available to all Iowans, the IDPH continues to encourage those at the highest risk of complications to make sure they are vaccinated.

Public health officials predict another wave of H1N1 illness will occur during the usual time Iowa sees the highest rates of influenza activity ? late January and February ? thus, being immunized as soon as possible will give Iowans protection against another wave of illness.

IDPH surveillance indicated influenza and influenza-like illness began spreading across the state in late September and October, and locally, it hit area school districts.

In the Fairfield Community School District, superintendent Don Achelpohl said students and staff were educated and reminded about good hygiene, including coughing and sneezing into the bend of their arm, washing their hands and using hand sanitizer, and the staff cleans surfaces, like keyboards, desktops, doorknobs and handrails, more often.

Achelpohl added that parents should keep their ill children at home until they have no temperature for 24 hours, without a dose of Tylenol or other fever-reducing medicine.

So far Iowa has reported 36 confirmed H1N1 deaths and nearly 700 H1N1-related hospitalizations.

Most people have recovered from the 2009 H1N1 flu at home without needing medical care said Estle-Tedrow, however, it is important to monitor symptoms and seek medical care if they worsen.

For the complete article, see the Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.