Health Department Encourages ALL Young People Be Vaccinated
Watseka, IL – Statistical data obtained through the Illinois Department of Public Health confirms that H1N1 cases continue to be most severe in younger people. “One of the obstacles we face in getting young people vaccinated is that people keep saying to us that they have heard that 36,000 people die each year from the seasonal flu and so they don’t see H1N1 as any bigger threat,” said Doug Corbett, Public Health Administrator. Corbett said while it is true that, on average, 36,000 people die from flu-related complications each year, more than 90 percent of deaths and about 60 percent of seasonal flu hospitalizations occur in people older than 65. “H1N1 flu has caused more severe illness in people younger than 25 years of age than in older people,” said Corbett. “At this time, we continue to see the most severe cases of disease and deaths in the younger population making it extremely important for them to get vaccinated.”
Corbett said that the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department will continue to encourage the vaccination of all young people, pregnant women and others under the age of 65 who have previously recognized high risk medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders. “The holiday season lends itself to spread of the disease,” he said. “People are in very close contact during family gatherings and while out shopping in crowded shopping malls. People infected with seasonal and H1N1 flu shed virus and may be able to infect others from one day before getting sick to five to seven days after. This can be longer in some people, especially children and people with weakened immune systems,” he said.
The agency has scheduled additional after hour times to assist working parents in obtaining vaccinations for their children.
Monday, December 7th – The Paxton Office will provide H1N1 immunizations from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 9th – The Watseka Office will provide H1N1 immunizations from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 12th – Both offices will be open from 9 a.m. until noon to provide H1N1 vaccinations.
Monday, December 14th – The Paxton Office will provide H1N1 immunizations from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Tuesday, December 15th – The Watseka Office will provide H1N1 immunizations from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
All H1N1 vaccinations are free of charge when received through the health department.
Corbett said children who have not been vaccinated and come down with any of the following warning signs need urgent medical attention and should be seen by their health care provider immediately:
” Fast breathing or trouble breathing
” Bluish or gray skin color
” Not drinking enough fluids
” Severe or persistent vomiting
” Not waking up or not interacting
” Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
” Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
Adults who have not been vaccinated and have warning signs that need urgent medical attention include;
” Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
” Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
” Sudden dizziness
” Confusion
” Severe or persistent vomiting
” Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
To prevent the spread of H1N1 flu take the following everyday steps to protect your health:
” Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
” If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve and not into your hands.
” Wash your hands with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
” Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
” Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
” If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay at home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
For more information on H1N1 call the H1N1 hotline at (815)432-3850 or visit the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department web site at www.fiphd.org.
–courtesy www.iqesda.com
