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H1N1 Vaccination Update Fort Berthold

Vaccine Now Available to All People Ages 6 Months and Up

Jared Eagle – Health Educator

The Minne-Tohe Health Center has completed several H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination clinics.  We are still receiving the vaccine at a very limited basis. Due to the high demand and low availability of the vaccine the ND Health Department and the CDC set forth guidelines that pregnant women, health care and emergency medical services personnel, children 6 months through 18 years of age, household contacts and caregivers of infants younger than 6 months of age, and adults 19 through 64 years of age who have chronic medical conditions such as a heart condition, respiratory condition, and diabetes were able to receive the vaccine first.

Beginning Wednesday, December 9^th the H1N1 vaccine will be available to all people ages 6 months and up.  We are still receiving the vaccine on a weekly basis in very small quantities.  Once we receive a shipment, we will post in the newspaper, tribal email, the information channel on TV, and radio as to where we will be dispersing the vaccine so please pay close attention to the local information sources.  If your child needs to receive a 2^nd dose and the 30 days have elapsed since the first dose was given please take a look at the vaccination card that you received when your child got their first shot and note the date so that you can bring them to one of the next vaccination clinics along with their vaccination cards.   

The Minne-Tohe Health Center has received 990 total doses of the H1N1 vaccine as of December 8^th.  We currently have on hand 30 doses, and we will be receiving more doses December 11^th.  In no way has any vaccine been saved for any special groups or people.  Under the ND Health Department Vaccination Program, once a shipment has arrived we are to give and get rid of the vaccine as soon as possible to the designated priority groups so that no vaccine is left in supply.  

We are currently out of the seasonal flu vaccine for all adults 19 years and older.  We do have seasonal flu vaccine available for children ages 6 months to 18 years.  The novel H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is intended to be used alongside the seasonal flu vaccine to protect people. The seasonal flu and the H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day. 

You do not have to be from the community in which we are holding a vaccination clinic.  If you are able to make it to an outside vaccination clinic please take advantage of the opportunity to get the vaccine. If you have been sick earlier this year, you are still encouraged to get the vaccine as there are different types of the virus, and you are still susceptible to getting sick. 

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.

Prevention is still the key!  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.

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.

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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