ANNOUNCEMENTS

H1N1 UPDATES AND INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/

The Wells County Health Department has a limited supply of seasonal flu vaccine for children 3 through 18 years of age.  Please call for an appointment.

H1N1 flu is still circulating.  Those who have been sick with a flu-like illness should still receive H1N1 vaccine unless a RT-PCR test confirmed that they had H1N1 flu virus.  Health officials expect another wave of H1N1 to hit over the winter.  It is important to get vaccinated before holiday travel!

Remember that children under 10 need a second dose of H1N1 vaccine.  Now is also a great time for college students home for winter break to get their H1N1 vaccine!

H1N1 Clinics:

Appointments can be made to recieve the H1N1 vaccine here at the Health Department.  Please call to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also welcome when nurses are available.

Flu mist is not available at this time.

*Open to general public, all ages*

Vaccine is FREE of charge

The Wells County Health Department no longer has seasonal flu shots for adults.  

Important information for parents regarding the H1N1 vaccine:

• Children under 10 years old are recommended to have a second dose of the H1N1 vaccine at least 4 weeks apart.  It is the parent's responsibility to know when the child received the initial vaccine and when they are due for the next dose.
• There MUST be a minimum of 4 weeks between any live virus vaccines.  These include: seasonal flu mist, H1N1 flu mist, chicken pox, and MMR. 
• The H1N1 mist or injection may be received at the same time as a seasonal flu shot, as the seasonal flu shot is an inactivated/killed virus.  
• The H1N1 flu mist vaccine is the PREFERED vaccination method for HEALTHY children over 2 years of age.

Thanks to New Hope Lutheran Church, Southern Wells Middle School, Bluffton High School, Norwell High School, and Lancaster Elementary School for their hospitality and hosting H1N1 clinics!

Is the H1N1 vaccine "new" or experimental?

The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines are being produced by the same companies using the same procedures used to produce seasonal flu vaccines.  The 2009 H1N1 vaccines are exactly the same as seasonal influenza vaccines exept for the strain of influenza virus they contain.  The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is not a "new" vaccine, but rather is a change in the strains (just as done in preparing new vaccine for each influenza season).  Each year, experts look at the strains that are likely to be circulating during the next influenza season, and put those into the upcoming year's influenza vaccine.  That's exactly what has been done in this case. 

Most of the seasonal influenza vaccines distributed over the last decade have included H1N1-like strains.  If the timing had been better, it is possible that the 2009 H1N1 strain could have been included in the 2009-2010 seasonal influenza vaccine.

Should the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine be given to someone who had an influenza-like illness between April and now?

Could I have H1N1(swine flu)?

Use the H1N1 Flu Self-Assessment, based on material from Emory University, to:

• Learn whether you have the symptoms of H1N1 flu (swine flu)
• Help you decide what to do next

H1N1 Response Center Self Assessment:

http://www.h1n1responsecenter.com

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This program also allows you to ask INshape Indiana fitness trainers and nutritionists specific questions that you may have about your health.

To join, or for more information, please visit http://www.in.gov/inshape/index.htm