The health department will hold an H1N1 flu shot clinic for students of Linsly, St. Michael School and Wheeling Country Day School. This school H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at Linsly’s Stifel Field House from 3:30-8:00pm. This clinic is for school students of Linsly, St. Michael School and Wheeling County Day School.

The health department will hold an H1N1 flu shot clinic for students of Wheeling Middle School, Bethlehem, Madison and Ritchie Elementary Schools. This school H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held on Friday, November 6, 2009 at Wheeling Middle School Gym from 3:30-8:00pm. This clinic is for school students of Wheeling Middle School, Bethlehem, Madison and Ritchie Elementary Schools.

A parent or legal guardian must attend the clinic with the child. Both nasal and injectable forms of the H1N1 vaccine will be used during the clinic, however, a medical professional will help determine what form of the vaccine you are eligible for. Parents, grandparents, brother, sisters, and adults of any age are NOT eligible for vaccine at this time, regardless of medical condition. Immunization for other priority groups and the general population will be available for everyone after the target populations have been immunized. School officials and staff of the health department will be on hand to assist participants in the clinic. No appointment is necessary and there is no fee for the H1N1 flu vaccine. Future school clinics will be announced as vaccine and clinic supplies continue to come to the health department. H1N1 vaccine is not available at the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department at this time. The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department is following The Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) recommendations for vaccination of the 2009 H1N1 virus. Five target population groups will be the initial focus of the health department’s immunization efforts. These groups are:

•vaccination for pregnant women

•people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age

•healthcare and emergency medical services personnel

•persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years

•people ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

The health department anticipates regular delivers of the H1N1 vaccine throughout the year and into 2010. The health department does not expect that there will be a shortage of novel H1N1 vaccine, but flu vaccine availability and demand can be unpredictable and there is some possibility that initially, the vaccine will be available in limited quantities. The health department anticipates that anyone who wants a H1N1 vaccination will be able to receive one. Vaccination for younger children will require two immunizations, spread out between 21-28 days. The CDC’s recommendation for younger vaccinations are that children receive one dose for age 10 and above and two (2) doses age 9 and below. The H1N1 vaccination is not mandatory; rather individuals will receive recommendations on who should receive the vaccine. If the vaccine is recommended for use, those who choose vaccination for themselves or their children will be screened for contraindications to vaccination (such as an allergy to eggs ) and will receive information sheets describing the vaccine’s risks and benefits, possible adverse events associated with vaccination, and how to report these events. The Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department continues to advise individuals on simple precautions to prevent the spread of the H1N1 and regular Flu virus.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work, school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• If you have flu like symptoms, stay at home for at least 24 hours after you are free of a fever or signs of fever without using fever reducing medications is gone.

For more information call the Wheeling-Ohio County Health Department at (304) 234-3682 or visit our website at www.ohiocountyhealth.com.