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Flu Information & Updates
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The flu will be around for a while ..
Its Never Too Late ... to Vaccinate
Seasonal and H1N1 flu will continue to circulate throughout our community for many months to come. Protect yourself & your family.
Get your FREE flu shots |
WHO SHOULD GET VACCINATED AGAINST H1N1 FLU?
H1N1 vaccination is now recommended for ALL New Yorkers over 6 months of age, not just those in the initial priority groups. This includes senior citizens age 65 and older.
AM I ELIGIBLE TO GET THE H1N1 FLU VACCINE?
Yes. New York State is now making the vaccine available to ALL New Yorkers. During the first phase of New York’s statewide vaccination campaign, when supplies of vaccine were limited, the State designated the H1N1 vaccine for priority groups considered at highest risk of serious illness and complications from the flu and those at risk of transmitting the flu to vulnerable individuals. Now that there is an adequate supply of vaccine, the State has expanded access to the vaccine to ALL New Yorkers.
NOW IS THE TIME TO GET VACCINATED!
The H1N1 flu season is far from over. H1N1 flu activity is still widespread in New York State. Typically, the most flu activity occurs from January through March, and the flu season runs until May. Getting vaccinated now will provide protection for you against H1N1 flu for the rest of the season this winter and spring.
THE H1N1 VACCINE IS SAFE.
The H1N1 vaccine will NOT make you sick, but the flu WILL. Like the seasonal flu vaccine, the H1N1 vaccine has a very good safety record. Most people who receive the H1N1 flu don’t experience any symptoms afterwords; some feel a temporary mild soreness in the arm.
The nasal spray vaccine is also safe, effective, and easy to use.
WHERE CAN I GET THE VACCINE?
The vaccine is available from many health care providers, community health centers, and now pharmacies.
The H1N1 vaccine is available at our monthly immunization clinics. Immunization clinics are held the third Tuesday of each month from 4-6PM and are free of charge.
Protecting Public Health – H1N1 and Seasonal Influenza Vaccination clinic update
April, 2010 - Your local Sullivan County Public Health Services department has been hard at work ensuring that individuals in the community who are at the highest risk of developing complications from the flu have access to the H1N1 influenza vaccine and seasonal flu vaccine. Seasonal and H1N1 flu clinics have been ongoing throughout October, 2009 - March, 2010.
Over 2700 hundred people have been vaccinated for seasonal flu and over 2100 for H1N1 swine influenza by Sullivan County Public Health Services nurses. In addition, about 2,300 doses of H1N1 vaccine have been redistributed by Sullivan County Public Health Services to local health care providers throughout Sullivan County in an effort to ensure the availability of the vaccine to the public prior to them getting their shipment from NYSDOH.
Novel H1N1 influenza is a new flu virus to which almost nobody is immune except for people who have already gotten sick and recovered.
As per New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Informational Message (April, 2010):
Influenza activity has occurred in waves during past pandemics, and New York State may still experience a third wave or localized influenza outbreaks in communities that have been less affected by illness, or where vaccination rates have been lower than in other regions.
New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) recommends that children and adults continue to be vaccinated against both the H1N1 and Seasonal influenza vaccine as long as it is available, in preparation if activity increases again before the Fall Season. Children less than ten years old must receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine (at least one month apart) to be considered fully immunized.
Because of this, everyone needs to make a habit of doing things that will slow the spread of the flu virus. Consider getting vaccinated, especially if you fall into a high risk category.
In the meantime, wash your hands frequently, carry hand sanitizer, and always cover a cough and sneeze into your sleeve to prevent the spread of germs. Stay at least six feet away from others if you think they have the flu. More importantly, stay home if you become ill and think you have the flu, to prevent the spread to others. Keep your children home from school if they become ill.
Novel H1N1 influenza and seasonal influenza vaccine will continue to be offered as long as vaccine continues to be available from the NYS Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control. Updates on additional flu clinics will be sent to local papers, radio stations, and posted on this website.
Sullivan County Public Health Services is committed to preventing illness and promoting and protecting public health during this influenza pandemic.
You may obtain more information & updates by calling our
Public Health Information Line: (845) 292-5910. Press 2
After regular business hours and weekends, call (845) 513-2268. Sullivan County Public Health Services12/10/09 - Governor David A. Paterson has announced that the H1N1 flu vaccine will be made available to all New Yorkers over the age of 6 months, including those who are not in priority groups established by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
View the press release by clicking here. High Risk Categories
Residents who fall into these following high risk categories should strongly consider vaccination for H1N1 influenza: - Pregnant Women
- Children / Youths 6 months to 24 years old
- Caregivers of infants less than 6 months old
- Persons 25 - 64 years old with chronic medical conditions (such as, asthma, immune deficiency, diabetes, heart disease - if unsure check with your doctor)
- Health care and emergency services workers with direct patient contact
Check with your regular health care provider, as many local providers have received H1N1 vaccine.
Residents who fall into these following high risk categories should strongly consider vaccination for seasonal influenza as well: - Adults age 50 and older
- Children age 6 months to 18 years
- Residents with chronic medical conditions
- Those who are immune compromised
- Pregnant women
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