Swine Flu Sarasota:

Posted October 8, 2009

IN LIEU OF MAKING AN ON-AIR APPEARANCE ON THE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 EPISODE OF WSLR'S "LOCAL MATTERS" RADIO DISCUSSION ON THE H1N1 VIRUS AND VACCINE, OFFICIALS AT THE SARASOTA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT CHOSE INSTEAD TO PROVIDE WRITTEN RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS POSED BY LOCAL MATTERS HOST JOE HENDRICKS.
THESE RESPONSES WERE MUCH APPRECIATED AND ARE POSTED HERE UNEDITED AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY:

Sarasota County Health Department’s H1N1 (Swine) Flu Vaccination Response

How has the county prepared?
Sarasota County Health Department has had plans in place to conduct mass vaccination clinics for some time now. We have worked with the healthcare providers, county government, the school district, local hospitals and other organizations to streamline the distribution of vaccine as it becomes available. These plans are continuously being adjusted as more is learned about the timetable for vaccine delivery to our county.

Who should get vaccinated?
We are encouraging everyone to get vaccinated once an adequate supply of vaccine is available.

When will the vaccine be available?
We expect the first doses of the nasal mist vaccine, which are licensed for use in healthy people ages two to 49, to be available starting early next week. Since we expect the vaccine to arrive in limited quantities, at least initially, we will be following the CDC guidelines in making the vaccine available to those most at risk for H1N1 (swine) flu and its complications. These first doses will be distributed to pediatricians in the community and at the health department for their patients.

H1N1 injectable vaccine is due to arrive in mid-to-late October. This vaccine will be delivered to pediatricians, OB doctors, hospitals and at the Sarasota County Health Department’s walk-in children’s immunization clinics.

As soon as vaccine is available in sufficient amounts, we will conduct voluntary H1N1 flu shot clinics in area middle and high schools for students who have a completed parental consent form. We will also conduct voluntary H1N1 clinics for students whose parent or guardian brings them to the vaccination clinics to be held at regional elementary schools on select Friday evenings and at health department sites on Saturdays. At this time, we do not foresee this schedule being put into place until the end of October or early November.

How many people is the health department expecting to vaccinate?
Our goal is to vaccinate as many people in the CDC priority groups as possible. These priority groups include children, ages six months to 24 years of age, pregnant women, EMS and healthcare workers, family members living in households with infants less than six months of age, and those living with chronic health conditions between ages 25-64 years of age. After those needs have been met and adequate vaccine is available, we plan to make the vaccine available to the general public including those age 65 and older.

Since the vaccine is voluntary, we are anticipating that about at least half of those in the priority groups will want the vaccine. We are also hoping that many people from the general population will get vaccinated against seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 (swine) flu virus.

Who gets vaccinated first?
Please see above.

Is the vaccine safe?

· The H1N1 influenza vaccine will be made using the same processes and facilities that are used to make the currently licensed seasonal influenza vaccines.

· As medical and public health professionals, parents and grandparents, ensuring the health and safety of our children is a top priority.

· The potential for more severe illness and many more deaths or disability caused by this new strain of influenza weighs heavily on our minds, as does the unfortunate outcome of the 1976 swine flu vaccination program.

· We are concerned with protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases like influenza and in preventing possible adverse events from vaccines.

· The novel H1N1 flu vaccines are very much like seasonal flu vaccine, which have a very good safety profile. However, like medications, vaccines occasionally do produce unintended side effects.

· We will have H1N1 vaccines available in multiple formulations, including a formulation that does not contain the preservative thimerisol.

· CDC is working to enhance safety monitoring systems and will actively encourage providers including county health departments and vaccine recipients to report adverse events following vaccination. CDC has advised us that they will be closely monitoring any signs that the vaccine is causing adverse events and will work with state and county health officials to investigate any unusual events rapidly.

· All parents will receive a letter from the Sarasota County Health Department’s Medical Director, a Vaccine Information Sheet developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and a consent form. Public Health Nurses are available to answer any questions parents may have regarding the information on the Vaccine Information Sheet (VIS).

· The consent form, VIS statement and Medical Director’s letter have also been translated into Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian for non-English speaking parents.

· The letters to parents of middle and high school students will be mailed and will include a postage-paid return envelope so there will be a record of parental consent on file when those students go to get a flu shot during the school day.

· The letters to elementary school students will be sent home with the students; they will bring it with them when they accompany their children to the regional elementary flu shot clot.

Where can low-income families go to receive vaccines?
The Sarasota County Health Department will provide the vaccine free of charge and will not be charging an administration fee. Once adequate supplies of vaccine are available, we will be holding Saturday vaccination clinics at our facilities in Sarasota, Venice and North Port. Vaccine will also be available through many private providers, the vaccine will be free but providers may charge an administration fee.

Will there be drive-thru clinics?
We are keeping that option open – it will likely be around the holidays.

What are the basic precautions people should take regarding the H1N1 virus?
Since influenza activity is widespread in our community, everyone is urged to take these precautionary actions daily especially until the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine is readily available in our community:

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

· Wash hands for 20 seconds using soap and water especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.

· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.

· Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.

As a precaution, everyone especially those who are at high risk for complications should monitor their health, and get appropriate medical treatment in a timely manner.

The symptoms of influenza usually include fever with a cough or sore throat. Influenza infection can also lead to additional symptoms like headache, tiredness, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, chills, diarrhea, and vomiting. The symptoms of the flu typically last
3- 7 days.

· If you think you have influenza, stay home and keep sick children home until you are free of fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications.

· If symptoms get worse, call your health care provider and discuss whether you need to be seen in their office or emergency department or stay home.

· Everyone who develops these symptoms should be evaluated for antiviral treatment. Treatment is indicated for persons who are severely ill and/or at high risk for complications due to influenza such as pregnant women, children under age five, those living with chronic health issues, and older adults.

Residents are advised to stay healthy and stay informed. Visit www.sarasotahealth.org or call the toll-free Florida Flu Information Line, 877-352-3581.