Swine flu precautions made

While all area hospitals this week put restrictions on young
visitors due to swine flu health concerns, county public health
officials were keeping their fingers crossed that a promised
shipment of vaccine would arrive in time for free vaccination
clinics scheduled for later this month.
Two free public vaccine clinics will be held this Saturday in
Windsor and Santa Rosa (details below).
Promised deliveries of the H1N1 flu vaccine are behind schedule
all across the country, with just 32.3 million doses made available
so far for a targeted population of 159 million people.
In Sonoma County, some 317,163 people have been identified in a
vaccine target group that includes infants, pregnant women,
healthcare workers and people age 25 to 64 with underlying medical
conditions.
The H1N1 flu, previously called swine flu, is different in many
ways from the more prevalent seasonal flu. The H1N1 spreads more
easily among younger, and not older people. Cases of the H1N1 flu
began showing up in Sonoma County over the summer, well ahead of
the more familiar cold weather flu season.
The two flus are very different and different vaccines are
required for each one. Public health officials are urging
individuals to consult with their local physician or health center
for vaccination advice.
To date, there have been 109 recorded H1N1 cases requiring
hospitalization, plus 23 Intensive Care Unit cases and 10
fatalities.
A free public clinic is scheduled for this Saturday, Nov. 14 at
Windsor High School for the targeted population group only. Clinic
hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Another clinic is scheduled for the same day by Alliance Health
Clinic at their Windsor location (8465 Old Redwood Highway) from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. All patients are asked to call 433-5494 to determine
if they need a regular appointment or if you can be directed to a
walk-in Saturday or evening clinic.
For updates see the county’s public health web site at
www.sonoma-county. org/h1n1.
Future public vaccination clinics will be announced at a later
time. If the vaccine shortage continues the target group may be
narrowed and others not in the group may be denied the vaccine
until more shipments arrive.
Dr. Mark Netherda, deputy public health officer last week said a
stockpile of both the “live” and injectable form of the H1N1
vaccine was on hand at the county. He said current supplies should
meet the early season needs for the identified target groups and
scheduled clinics, so long as future shipments could be
verified.
Meanwhile, in complying with a national Center for Disease
Control caution, local hospitals are restricting visits by children
younger than 15 because they are showing the most cases and
vulnerability to the swine flu bug. Only two visitors are being
allowed per patient, and hospital officials are urging visits to be
kept short.
According to a California Department of Public Health report,
California is one of the hardest hit regions of the country with
the H1N1 epidemic. To date 4,800 people have been hospitalized with
H1N1 flu statewide and 266 had died, including 17 last week.
Symptoms of the swine flu (H1N1) include fast or troubled
breathing, a persistent high fever, cough, sore throat and body
aches.
Public health officials urge everyone to exercise prevention
techniques including frequent and thorough hand washing and
covering all coughs and sneezes. People with flu-like symptoms
should avoid close contact with other sick people or too close
proximity in crowds.
Two influenza antiviral medications are being recommended this
flu season for all types of flu. These are non-prescription
medicines with such tradenames as Tamiflu and Relenza. These drugs
are most effective if taken within 48 hours of first signs of flu
symptoms.