Hamilton and Hendricks Counties - The Hamilton County Health Department says it's started distributing the H1N1 vaccine to schools and community providers, but it's a slow process due to CDC delays.
The health department will distribute the vaccine to providers in the order the provider agreements were received. Health officials planned 20 public clinics but will not be holding those clinics until there is a sufficient supply of vaccine to conduct them.
In Hendricks County, a small amount of injectable vaccine is currently available for priority groups:
Preferred Home Health Care, 5250 E. US 36, Suite 800, Avon
Mon/Weds/Fri 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Tues/Thurs 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Hendricks Regional Health Immediate Care Center, 8244 E. US 36, Suite 1100, Avon
Tuesday, Oct. 27th only: 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Hendricks Regional Health Immediate Care Center, 1100 Southfield Drive, Suite 1140, Plainfield
Wednesday, Oct. 28th only: 4:00 to 8:00 pm
H1N1 FluMist vaccine is available for priority groups in limited doctor's offices along with Preferred Home Health Care, Take Care Clinic (Avon Walgreens) and the Minute Clinic (Avon CVS).
The target groups for this virus have been and continue to be the following:
· Pregnant women
· Household and caregiver contacts of children younger than 6 months of age (e.g. parents, siblings, and child care providers)
· Health care and emergency medical services personnel
· Persons from 6 months to 24 years of age
· People aged 25 to 64 years with medical conditions associated with a higher risk of flu complications (e.g. asthma, diabetes)
If you have to wait for a vaccine, you can increase your chances of staying healthy by washing your hands frequently, especially after touching your nose or eyes. Cough into your sleeve or elbow. Never cough into your hand - because if you touch anything after that, you're leaving your germs for others to catch.
If you're sick, stay home. The flu virus transmits person to person and this means if you are sick and have a fever you could pass it along to your co-workers, and they in turn could pass it to their families. It is important to remember that the virus can be spread 1-2 days before symptoms occur and up to 7 days after symptoms occur.
The most common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat, head aches and body aches. Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, but it's important not to confuse gastrointestinal bugs with the flu. The flu's telltale symptom is a fever. In the case of H1N1, it can be 100 degrees or higher. Children who have the flu should be fever-free for 24 hours before being allowed to go back to school.
