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First shipment of H1N1 vaccine arrives in county
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The first of what is expected to be weekly shipments of the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine arrived in Osceola county Thursday, according to the county's public health director.
"Allocation of the H1N1 vaccine to Osceola county is being determined by the state, according to population," said Pam Juber, Osceola county health director. "As a county, we will be working with providers to administer the vaccine. Vaccines will continue to be shipped to Iowa through the winter months."
The initial shipment received last week was the live, attenuated vaccine (LAIV), which is the nasal mist version. According to information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Ga., the LAIV is approved for people between the ages of two and 49 years of age who are not pregnant or have chronic health problems.
Groups recommended to receive the LAIV first are healthy people who are from two through 24 years of age; are from 25-49 years of age and live with or care for infants younger than six months of age; or are health care or emergency medical personnel. Those who fall outside those parameters should receive the flu shot.
The CDC also recommends that children through nine years of age get two doses of the vaccine, approximately one month apart. Older children and adults need only one dose.
Friday Juber said, "We have received a good response so far. People are eager to get the vaccine. Our goal is to vaccinate as many people as possible as soon as possible. The vaccine does no good sitting in our refrigerator so the sooner we can get it out, the sooner we can protect as many people as possible."
Continuing, she noted her office has been in communication with the school, clinic, hospital and bright Beginnings "for weeks" planning for the arrival of the vaccines.
As shipments are continued to be received, Juber said clinics will be held to vaccinate members of the public. She said information will be made available in the local newspapers, KIWA radio's local news segment and the local access cable television channel. She indicated she expects clinics will be held at various sites and times during the day to accommodate the working public.
Because the LAIV is not recommended for all persons, everyone will go through a screening process before receiving a vaccine.
"We want to make sure the right type of vaccine gets to the right population," Juber said.
It was noted the H1N1 vaccine does not replace the seasonal flu shots and, in fact, people are encouraged to be vaccinated for both types of the virus. Juber noted, however, that those who received the nasal mist version of the seasonal flu vaccine must wait 30 days before receiving the LAIV H1N1 vaccine.
Public health is the only provider in the county receiving the vaccine; however, Juber said they have reached provider agreements with Family Medicine Clinic and Osceola Community Hospital to administer the vaccine.
She noted the state is providing the vaccine to the county free of charge; therefore, people will not be charged for being vaccinated.
Juber said there have been confirmed cases of the disease in Osceola county. The respiratory affliction is spread through direct contact.
"It remains important to take personal action to prevent the spread of the virus by coughing into your elbow, washing your hands and containing the germs by staying home when you are ill," she said.
Symptoms of the H1N1 virus are fatigue, fever of 100 degrees or more, sore throat, muscle aches, chills, coughing and sneezing. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting.
According to the CDC, most people feel better within a week; however, some get pneumonia or other serious illnesses. Some have required hospitalization and some have died. According to Juber, there have been four deaths in Iowa related to the H1N1 virus.
Additional information on the vaccine can be obtained locally by calling Osceola Community Health Services at 712/754-4611 or the statewide toll-free hotline 1-800-447-1985. Additional information can also be found at www.idph.state.ia.us.
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