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H1N1 Vaccine

Three Affiliated Tribes begins vaccination clinics

Jared Eagle – Health Educator

The Minne-Tohe Health Center has started to receive the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine.  We are receiving the vaccine at a very limited basis, and therefore under regulations we must follow the recommendations set forward by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the North Dakota Health Department.  Due to the high demand and low availability of the vaccine the CDC recommends that the following groups receive the vaccine before others.  They are pregnant women, health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children 6 months through 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions such as a heart condition, respiratory condition, and diabetes.

We are receiving the vaccine on a weekly basis in very small quantities.  Once we receive a shipment, we will post in the newspaper, tribal email, and radio as to where we will be dispersing the vaccine so please pay close attention to the local information sources.  Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza infection and its complications. This is the reason that CDC, national health organizations, public health, and health-care providers encourage people to get vaccinated against both seasonal influenza and H1N1 influenza.

Once we receive adequate amounts of the H1N1 vaccine and the initial priority groups have been vaccinated we will be able to open the vaccine up to more priority groups.  The next group of people would then be people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age, and people from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for the H1N1 virus because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. Current studies indicate the risk for infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the risk for younger age groups. Therefore, as vaccine supply and demand for vaccine among younger age groups is being met we will then be able to offer the vaccination to people over the age of 65.  Unlike the seasonal flu, those 65 and older are not urged to get the H1N1 vaccine. It could be that older people carry some immunity from earlier swine flu epidemics, health officials have said.

The H1N1 vaccine is made the same way that seasonal vaccine is made. The only difference is that it protects against the H1N1 virus. Before it was approved, the H1N1 influenza vaccine underwent clinical trials to see how well the vaccine works. During those trials, no serious side effects were reported. The most common side effects were the same as side effects from seasonal influenza vaccines: soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was given.  People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs or to any other substance in the vaccine should not be vaccinated.

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu are similar to the symptoms of regular flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting. Spread of the H1N1 influenza virus is thought to happen in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes.  Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.  Infected people may be able to infect others from one day before they show any symptoms to seven or more days after they become sick. That means you may be able to pass the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as when you are sick which makes prevention so important.

Protect yourself, your family members and others around you, by following these simple flu prevention strategies.  Wash your hands frequently.  Get vaccinated against influenza when the vaccine becomes available, if you are sick you should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading the infection to others. Stay home until 24 hours after fever subsides without the use of fever-reducing medication.  Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs often are spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. 

Wash your hands thoroughly; a quick rinse under cold water isn't enough. Use soap and warm water, and wash for 20 to 30 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Washing your hands should be done every time we cough or use a tissue, use the restroom, tend to someone who is ill and frequently throughout the day.  Make sure to always cough into your sleeve or a tissue to keep germs from spreading.  The more people follow simple rules about hand washing, coughing and staying home when sick, the lower the risk for trouble.

If you get sick with flu-like symptoms, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. Most people with 2009 H1N1 have had mild illness and have not needed medical care or antiviral drugs and the same is true of seasonal flu.  Some people are more likely to get flu complications and they should talk to a health care provider about whether they need to be examined if they get flu symptoms this season. They are children younger than 5, especially children younger than 2 years old, people 65 and older, pregnant women, and people who have cancer, blood disorders, chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorders, liver disorders, and weakened immune systems.

Please take appropriate actions if you see these emergency warning signs in children.  Fast or trouble breathing, bluish skin color, dehydration, 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, and a fever with a rash.   If you must leave home, for example to get medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. And wash your hands often to keep from spreading flu to others.

As of Tuesday, October 26 the North Dakota Health Department had confirmed 1,216 cases of influenza. They estimated that 92 percent of those cases were H1N1. The North Dakota Health Department also confirmed the first H1N1-related death in the state, a northwestern North Dakota man older than 60 with underlying health problems is the first person in the state to die from the H1N1 virus.  The state estimates between 200 and 400 people die each year in North Dakota from either influenza or pneumonia. 

The World Health Organization has declared the H1N1 virus as a pandemic.  The ND Health Department estimates yearly seasonal flu effects approximately 15% of the population yearly.  The 2009 H1N1 virus is expected to infect somewhere between 30-40% of the population. 

The Minne-Tohe Health Center staff along with Homeland Security and the Upper Missouri District Health Unit are in agreement that if there is a need for mass prophylaxis clinic in the event of a public health emergency the New Town community has been designated as the location of a mass prophylaxis clinic for the MHA Nation and all other ethnicities of the area.  The Northern Lights Community Building in New Town has been selected as the Point of Dispensing (POD) site for the use during a public health emergency preparedness and response.  The POD clinic managers are Cliff Whitman and Holly Mayer-Taft.  

Take the necessary precautions, diligently wash your hands and stay home when you are sick.  Reducing your risks and taking care of yourself can go a long way in protecting you and your family this flu season.

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