12/1/2009 5:00:00 AM
Swine flu fight continues
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BY ED GEBERT
Times Bulletin News Writer
egebert@timesbulletin.com
Even though news about the H1N1 virus has seemed to have faded from the forefront of the public consciousness lately, the fight to protect local residents continues.
The Van Wert County Health Department will be conducting another H1N1 vaccination clinic this Thursday morning at the office on Fox Rd. in Van Wert. It will be the fourth walk-in clinic for persons in the high-risk groups at the Health Department.
Emily Barnett of the Van Wert County Health Department confirmed, "The clinics so far have all been for persons in what they call the Tier One risk group and not for healthy people yet. We're hoping that they open that up to healthy people in the first couple of weeks of December."
Persons in the Tier One risk group who may be vaccinated at Thursday's clinic are pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for infants younger than six months, health care and emergency services personnel, children between 6 months and 18 years of age, young adults from 19-24 years old, and persons ages 25-64 with health conditions associated with a higher risk of complications from influenza.
Those not falling into one of the risk groups must continue to wait for a vaccination.
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) ordered 259,800 doses of H1N1 flu vaccine last Wednesday afternoon. The vaccine will be shipped directly to 511 local health departments, family physicians, federally qualified health centers, pediatricians, OB/GYNs, internists and childrenís hospitals in 88 Ohio counties. That order includes 49,400 doses of nasal-spray vaccine and 210,400 shots of H1N1 flu vaccine to be given to those in the high-risk populations. This makes 2,299,200 doses of the vaccine to be delivered to Ohio so far and is the entire allotment for the state at this time. More vaccine is expected to become available in the coming weeks.
Thus far, the Van Wert County Health Department has given 3,536 doses to area residents including first doses to participating students in the school districts in the county.
Barnett reported, "We are now scheduled to go back to the school districts for the second doses. That will be
taking place over the next couple of weeks."
The ODH is stressing that children younger than 10 should receive two doses of H1N1 flu vaccine in order to achieve optimal protection against H1N1 flu. While persons ages 10 and older need only one dose to be protected,research has shown that two doses of vaccine are required to provide immunity for children 6 months to 9 years.
Children are particularly at risk for H1N1 because of limited previous exposure to the virus. Children under 6 months cannot be immunized against the virus.
"Please fully protect your youngsters by ensuring they receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine," said ODH Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D. "More than 2 million doses have been distributed in Ohio, so check with your doctor or
local health department regarding availability."
In addition to the clinics to help prevent the spread of H1N1 flu, the Van Wert County Health Department has also received some vaccine for the seasonal flu. A pediatric flu shot clinic for seasonal flu will be held at the Health Department office, 140 Fox Rd., Suite 402 on Monday, Dec. 7 from 4-6 p.m. The pediatric seasonal flu clinic will be restricted to appointments only.
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