3-5-10 H1N1 Influenza Update
Although H1N1 influenza activity has diminished in our regional area, health officials remind us that it is not gone. According to the CDC and Iowa Department of Public Health, there continues to be regional (increased) activity in the southeast portion of the United States, and widespread activity remaining in Africa, Central America, and portions of Asia. This tells us there is still a possibility for a resurgence of activity this spring.
It is not too late to receive your H1N1 immunization. Vaccinations continue to
be available free of charge at Health Services of Lyon County. Health Services
director, Sherri Boeve, would also like to remind parents that if their child is
under 10 years of age and has received only their first dose of H1N1, they are
not protected for the disease. The first dose is considered a primer dose, and
the second dose actually gives the immunity. Parents are encouraged to complete
the series for children under 10 as soon as possible.
Health Services will continue to have injectable vaccine through the remainder
of the year, however the local supply of nasal mist vaccine which is available
for persons age 2 yrs 49 yrs, will be expiring in April. If you would like the
mist form of the vaccine for yourself or your child you must schedule an
appointment as soon as possible. For appointments, call Health Services of Lyon
County at 712-472-4018.
1-13-10 H1N1 Activity Lulls
Lyon County residents urged to take advantage of plentiful vaccine
Overall influenza activity in Iowa and the United States has decreased over the past month; 2009 H1N1 influenza remains at low levels, and seasonal influenza has not yet been detected in the state. Lyon County Public Health reminds residents there is potential for both H1N1 flu and seasonal flu activity to rise and to continue for several more months.
We want to encourage more people to get vaccinated, said Sherri Boeve RN, Health Services of Lyon County director, The H1N1 vaccine supply is plentiful and all data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to show the vaccine is safe. To date, Iowa has received more than 1,164,000 doses of the H1N1 influenza vaccine.
Some retail pharmacies now have H1N1 vaccine available. These pharmacies may charge a fee to administer the H1N1 vaccination; however, H1N1 vaccinations continue to be provided free of any charge by Health Services of Lyon County and are available to all residents. To obtain an H1N1 vaccination, contact Health Services of Lyon County at 712-472-4081.
January 10 16 is National Influenza Vaccination Week. Health Services of Lyon County reminds residents that vaccination is the best protection against getting sick with the flu. In addition, Lyon County residents should continue everyday preventive actions, including covering coughs and sneezes, cleaning hands frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitizing gel, and containing germs by staying home when ill.
12-30-2009 Protect Your Health in the New Year
As the bustle of the holidays passes, the staff of Health Services of Lyon County reminds Iowans to make time for a 2009 H1N1 vaccination.
Though H1N1 has affected many people in Lyon County, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) says more than 90 percent of Iowans are still at risk for getting this disease. It is likely more people will become sick with H1N1 after the holidays, said Sherri Boeve, administrator for Health Services of Lyon County. This is also the time seasonal flu starts picking up. People who have not yet gotten their H1N1 or seasonal influenza vaccines are potentially at risk for getting all four strains of influenza three in the seasonal vaccine and the 2009 H1N1 strain.
H1N1 vaccines are now available to all residents of Lyon County regardless of age or health status. Because another wave of H1N1 is likely to occur in early 2010, it is important for parents to ensure their children are vaccinated as they head back to school after the holidays. It is equally important for adults to be vaccinated. Family members who get influenza often spread the virus to each other. The result can be several days or even weeks missed from work or school.
H1N1 vaccinations are available at Health Services of Lyon County by appointment, and they are free of charge. To schedule your appointment, contact Health Services of Lyon County at 712-472-4081.
12-23-2009 H1N1 Influenza Update
Additional H1N1 Vaccine Recalled
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced a non-safety related voluntary recall of certain lots of H1N1 influenza intranasal vaccine. The vaccine, manufactured by MedImmune, successfully passed pre-release testing for purity, potency and safety. However, after ongoing routine testing, certain lots of the nasal mist vaccine have become or will shortly be slightly below the threshold for potency, and have been recalled. Lyon County did receive some of this vaccine earlier in the season in October and November, and it was administered while the potency was well within the acceptable range. The very small amount of vaccine from these lot numbers has been removed from stock.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), Iowa was allocated approximately 46,900 doses of the affected nasal mist vaccine. The majority of this vaccine was administered in October, when its potency was not an issue, said IDPH Immunization and Tuberculosis Bureau Chief Don Callaghan. Because the vaccine was administered long before this recall, there are no concerns about its effectiveness. Individuals who received the affected intranasal vaccine do not need to be re-vaccinated.
2009 H1N1 vaccinations are now open to all Lyon County residents. If you want to be vaccinated, call Health Services of Lyon County at 712-472-4081 for an appointment.
12-11-09 H1N1 Influenza Update
H1N1 Vaccination Opens to All Iowans
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced that beginning Monday December 14, 2009; all Iowans are eligible to receive an H1N1 vaccination.
Vaccine allocations have increased; therefore it is possible to expand the people eligible to be vaccinated past the initial target priority groups to the general population.
Health Services of Lyon County continues to encourage those persons at highest risk of complication to be sure they are vaccinated. Children who are 9 years of age and under should be sure they receive two doses of the H1N1 vaccine in order to provide complete protection against the virus.
H1N1 is not gone. While Iowa continues to see a decline in influenza-like illness, H1N1 continues to circulate in Iowa. Public health officials predict another wave of H1N1 illness will occur after the holidays. This would coincide with what is typically the time Iowa sees the highest rates of influenza activity January and February.
Its not too late to be immunized. Being immunized as soon as possible will give the residents of Lyon County protection against this possible third wave of illness. States Kandace Koll, administrator of Health Services. It will also prevent them from spreading this virus to others. Being immunized now will offer protection over the holidays, when many people travel.
For more information and to schedule an appointment for your immunization call Health Services of Lyon County at 712-472-4081.
School based clinics are scheduled to administer the booster dose of H1N1 vaccine required for children aged 6 months through 9 years. If your child is in this age range, and received their 1st dose of vaccine at a school based clinic in November, they should receive their second dose at these clinics. The proposed schedule is as follows:
1. Central Lyon Monday, December 14 from 3:30pm 5pm
2. George Wednesday, December 16 from 3:30pm 5pm
3. Little Rock Monday, December 21 from 3:30pm 5pm
4. West Lyon Tuesday, December 22 from 3:30 5pm
5. Inwood Christian Monday, December 21 from 2pm 3pm
Parents should be contacted by their schools for consent forms and locations of the clinic. Children must be accompanied by their parents.
H1N1 vaccinations continue to be provided on an appointment basis at Health Services of Lyon County @ 472-4081 for those persons in the previously established priority group.
11-17-09 When Can Everyone Get the H1N1 Vaccine?
The Lyon County health department continues to receive limited amounts of 2009
H1N1 influenza vaccine. Because there is currently not enough vaccine available
for widespread use in Lyon County, the vaccine remains targeted to those at
highest risk of becoming ill and developing complications. These groups include:
1. Pregnant women
2. People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
3. Health Care and Emergency Medical Services personnel
4. Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
5. People aged 25 64 who are at higher risk of complications because of
chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
These H1N1 priority target groups are different from the target groups for
seasonal influenza vaccine, said Kandace Koll (agency director). In both
cases, priority groups are determined by the national Advisory Committee for
Immunization Practices (a group of health care providers, academics, and other
experts in vaccinations) and are then published by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC). These recommendations for vaccine use are based on
knowledge of which populations are being most severely affected by the virus,
and which populations are most likely to spread the virus. For instance, young
children are in the priority group for both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccines, but
most elderly Iowans, while targeted for the seasonal influenza vaccine, are low
on the list for the H1N1 vaccine.
Why the difference in priority groups? The CDC actively tracks both seasonal and
H1N1 influenza in the United States and around the world. There has been very
little 2009 H1N1 illness in people 65 and older since the 2009 H1N1 virus
emerged. This has been true both in the United States and in other parts of the
world. Surveillance of who is most likely to be infected with 2009 H1N1 and
become seriously ill, demonstrates that people 65 and older are the least likely
to get sick with this virus, while younger people are much more likely to become
ill.
Why people 65 and older are the least likely to be infected with 2009 H1N1 flu
is not completely understood, but may be due to underlying immunity developed
after exposure to a similar flu virus that they had as children. However, if
those over 65 become ill, they are likely to develop serious complications from
their illness. Thus, people 65 years and older are prioritized for treatment
with antiviral drugs this season if they do become sick.
Eventually, as the H1N1 vaccine becomes widely available, the groups being
offered the vaccines will continue to be expanded. Eventually, it may be offered
to anyone who wants to be vaccinated in Lyon County. Until that time, it remains
important to take personal actions to prevent the spread of the virus by
covering your cough, cleaning your hands, and containing germs by staying home
when ill.
11-12-09 H1N1 Influenza Update
School based H1N1 clinics are now scheduled in all of the county public schools and one parochial school. The remaining two parochial schools are being contacted for interest.
Clinics are scheduled as follows:
1. George Tuesday, November 17.
1:30pm 3pm High School
3:45pm 6pm preschool 4th grade accompanied by parent
2. Inwood Christian Wednesday, November 18
2pm 3pm Grades K-8 (grades K 4 must be accompanied by parent)
3. Little Rock Thursday, November 19
1pm 3pm Grades 5-8 (Little Rock and George students)
3:45pm 5:30pm preschool 4th grade accompanied by parent
4. West Lyon Friday November 20
11:30 3pm Grades 5 - 12
3:45 6:30pm preschool 4th grade accompanied by parent
All parents should be contacted by the schools and can fill out a consent form if they request the vaccination for their children. If you do not receive a note, you can contact your school for a consent form, or print one from this web site and return it to school. No child will be vaccinated without a parental consent form signed.
11-6-09 H1N1 Influenza Update
Health Services of Lyon County is scheduling school based H1N1 clinics in the county schools. The first clinic is scheduled for Central Lyon students on Friday, Nov 13, 2009 at Central Lyon High School. Students in grades 5-12 who wish to receive the vaccine will be immunized during the regular school day, and students preschool 4th grade will need to be accompanied by their parents after school from 4 6 pm. If parents have not already done so, they can contact the school for consent forms prior to the clinic, or print them from this web site and bring them to the school. Vaccine will not be given to any child without a parental consent.
The remaining schools in the county have been contacted, and schedules for clinics are being arranged in the next couple weeks. Continue to check the web site for further clinic schedules.
11-5-09 H1N1 Influenza Update
As of today, 11-5-09, Health Services of Lyon County is expanding the target group to receive the H1N1 vaccine back to the original priority group identified in early October.
The agency is beginning to receive additional doses of vaccine, and expect doses to arrive at the local agency on a weekly basis, barring any further delays in production. We are again targeting the original 5 key population groups as follows:
1. Pregnant women
2. People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
3. Children between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age
4. Health care workers and emergency medical services personnel
5. People 25-64 years of age who are at higher risk of complications due to chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Watch this web site for further announcements and schedules of planned upcoming school based clinics.
10-23-09 H1N1 Influenza Update
Health Services of Lyon County has scheduled its first public H1N1 vaccination clinic on
November 4, 2009 from 4:30pm 6:30 pm, at the Forster Community Building. The clinic is designed to reach children 6 months to 4 years of age.
The public health agency has received a limited number of H1N1 vaccine doses over the past couple weeks. During the first 2 weeks these doses have been targeted to the most vulnerable populations including pregnant women, health care and emergency rescue workers, and families and caretakers of infants younger than 6 months of age.
Health Services of Lyon County is now planning one clinic to administer the doses they have on hand to children age 6 months 4 years. According to agency director Kandace Koll, We have a limited supply of vaccine on hand at this point, and want to make it available to the most vulnerable populations first. The vaccine available for the clinic will be in both the injectable form, and the nasal mist form which can be used in children 2 and older. The H1N1 vaccine can be given at the same time or at any interval with the seasonal flu vaccine with one exception if your child has received seasonal flu mist, there must be 4 weeks in between before receiving the H1N1 mist.
The agency has been informed this week that the vaccine allotment is being slowed on a national level by delays in the manufacturing process, but adequate vaccine is still expected to be arriving in early to mid November. Koll states we are regularly meeting with the county physicians and clinics to make sure the vaccine is distributed to the identified priority populations as quickly as possible as it is received. The agency is currently using a more restricted priority group as identified by the CDC which includes pregnant women, health care workers with direct patient contact, families and caretakers of infants under 6 months, children age 6 months through 4 years, and children age 5 18 only who have medical condition that put them at higher risk for influenza related complications. As soon as the allotments increase, the broader priority group will again be utilized.
For questions or more information on the availability of vaccine, contact Health Services of Lyon County at 712-472-4081. There is also a state toll free hot line number for questions about seasonal or H1N1 flu at 1-800-447-1985.
10-20-09 H1N1 Influenza Update
INCIDENCE- H1N1 flu activity continues to increase in Iowa and Lyon County. The impact in Iowa for the week ending October 10 was concentrated in the school age children. The majority of hospitalizations in Iowa reported last week were in children aged 5-17 years. The 3 Cs: Cover your cough, Clean your hands, and Contain the sick at home, remains critical to decrease the spread of disease.
VACCINATIONS - Health Services of Lyon County has begun planning for school based clinics, and as of yesterday, had clinics scheduled in all of the county schools, with the purpose of targeting all school aged children preschool 12th grade. However, as of late yesterday afternoon (Oct 19) the Iowa State Department of Health has notified the local agencies that vaccine manufacturing has been delayed and our expected allotment of vaccine will also be delayed. Because of this delay we have immediately begun to implement a more defined CDC subset of target population groups to receive the H1N1 vaccine. The new target population until supplies increase is as follows:
1. Pregnant women
2. People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
3. Health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact
4. Children 6 months through 4 years of age
5. Children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.
Currently our school based clinics will be on hold until sufficient shipments of vaccine arrive, and the target population is again expanded to the previous groups.
10-19-09 H1N1 Influenza Weekly Update
INCIDENCE- H1N1 flu activity continues to increase in Iowa and Lyon County. The majority of impact in Iowa for the week ending October 10 was concentrated in the school age children. The majority of hospitalizations in Iowa reported last week were in children aged 5-17 years.
VACCINATION - Health Services of Lyon County has now received enough doses of the H1N1 vaccine to begin vaccination clinics in the county schools starting with the youngest children and working up to the high school as vaccine continues to arrive.
The first school based clinics are being scheduled for children in grades 5-8 to receive their immunization during school hours. The clinics will then be held open after school from 4pm 6:30pm for younger children, Preschool 4th grade, who must be accompanied by their parents. The clinics scheduled so far are:
Monday, 10/26/09 Little Rock
Wednesday, 10/28/09 West Lyon
Tuesday 11/3/09 Central Lyon
Wednesday 11/4/09 George (high school students)
Other high school clinics will be scheduled after that time as supplies arrive, most likely the week of November 9.
Consent forms will need to be filled out for each child to receive their vaccine. No immunizations will be given without a parental consent form. These forms, as well as vaccine information statements, will be made available through the schools. They will also be available on each school website, and on this website at a separate link.
10-12-09 H1N1 Influenza Weekly Update
INCIDENCE
Influenza activity in Iowa is widespread as of this week, and Lyon County is no exception. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health as of the end of last week, 99% of all sub typed influenza A viruses reported to CDC were 2009 H1N1 viruses.
SYMPTOMS AND SEVERITY
Novel Influenza A H1N1 has been causing mostly mild illness. Even so, residents should be aware that if their symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care. The symptoms of the H1N1 influenza are basically the same as seasonal flu. You have fever, cough, and sore throat, feel tired and have body aches and pains. According to Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, state Epidemiologist, if you develop a high fever or have trouble breathing, you need to contact your health provider immediately.
H1N1 VACCINE
The second order for H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive at the local health department early this week. Efforts will again be concentrated on getting this vaccine out to the priority groups established by the CDC. Many residents have expressed concern about this new vaccine and its safety. Dr Quinlisk states that the H1N1 vaccine is as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine. The novel H1N1 vaccine that is being produced right now is being produced by the exact same companies in exactly the same manner as the seasonal flu vaccine. The reason its not in the seasonal flu vaccine was that it just showed up so late this spring, it couldnt be added to that vaccine. But since theyre made the same way by the same people, we believe that they will be basically as safe as the seasonal flu vaccine. There should be no reasons for having any special concerns over the H1N1 vaccine. Residents also need to remember that receiving the H1N1 vaccine as well as the seasonal flu vaccine is voluntary. As the amount of the vaccine shipments increases over the next few weeks, Health Services of Lyon County will be setting up clinics, currently planning to start in the county schools. More information will be available when these are scheduled.
For questions regarding the H1N1 flu or vaccine, you can contact the Iowa Department of Health hot line at 800-447-1985, or Health Services of Lyon County at 712-472-4081.
10-05-2009
H1N1 VACCINE ARRIVING IN LYON COUNTY
Health Services of Lyon County will begin receiving incremental shipments of H1N1 vaccine this week. According to director Kandace Koll, the initial shipment will be a very limited number of mist vaccine doses. The local agency expects weekly shipments thereafter. We will be following the priority list established by the Center for Disease Control to distribute the vaccine, stated Koll. We will begin making it available to those in the priority population as soon as it is received.
The 5 key population groups identified by CDC to receive the vaccine are:
1. Pregnant women
2. People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
3. Health Care and Emergency Medical Services personnel
4. Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
5. People aged 25-64 years who are at higher risk because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems
As the supply of vaccine increases, Health Services of Lyon County is planning to make it available to residents through school based and public clinics. The local agency is also working with the county physician clinics to provide vaccine to their appropriate patients.
For more information on the H1N1 vaccine and what is happening locally, please check the Lyon County web site, www.lyoncountyiowa.com. Contact Health Services of Lyon County at 712-472-4081. Contact the Iowa Concern Hotline at the Iowa Department of Public Health, 800-447-1985, with questions or concerns about the seasonal flu or H1N1 influenza.