News Flash

The first question has been answered as shipments of the H1N1 vaccine begin arriving in Dubuque County on October 8, 2009.

“Allocation of the vaccine to Dubuque County is being determined by the state according to population,” said Dubuque Public Health Specialist Mary Rose Corrigan. “As a county, we then work with providers to administer the vaccine.” Vaccine will continue to be shipped to Iowa through the winter months.

As for who should receive the vaccine, Dubuque County is following IDPH guidelines, which state the H1N1 vaccine should first be made available to the following priority groups:
• pregnant women,
• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age,
• health care and emergency medical services personnel,
• persons between the ages of 6 months through 4 years of age, and
• people from ages 5 through 18 years who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

Because the first shipment of H1N1 vaccine is in the form of a nasal spray, which is not recommended for some people (such as pregnant women and children with asthma), it is important to talk to your health care provider about getting the vaccination. Most of the first shipment will be given to health care providers.

The extent of H1N1 influenza occurring in the community and the state is monitored through sentinel testing sites, school absentee rates and confirmed hospitalization cases and deaths. Individual testing for individual H1N1 diagnosis is not available.

In addition, it remains important to take personal actions to prevent the spread of the virus:
• Cover your cough,
• Clean your hands, and
• Contain germs by staying home when ill.

A statewide toll-free hotline has been established for public questions about seasonal and H1N1 influenza at 1-800-447-1985. More information can also be found at www.idph.state.ia.us.

# # #