Health Care Provider,
The McHenry County Department of Health would like to update you on the H1N1 influenza vaccination program for this fall. This situation remains fluid, buy this will provide you with the information we have at this time.
Currently, it is thought that approximately 120 million does will be released beginning mid-October over a 4 week period, followed by approximately 20 million doses per week (or 80 million does per month) thereafter. Another scenario is that up to 20 million doses of vaccine will be released beginning late September, followed by approximately 20 million doses per week (or 80 million doses per month) thereafter. Sine the vaccine amount will initially be limited, the Center for Disease Control has provided guidelines as to what populations need to receive the vaccine first based on risk factors. These target groups are:
- Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
- Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at a higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus;
- Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity.
- All people from 6 months through 24 years of age - Children 6 months through 18 years of age because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in children and they are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and Young adults 19 through 24 years because we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these healthy young adults and they often live, work and study in close proximity, and are a frequently mobile population; and,
- Persons 25 through 64 years of age who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complication from influenza.
We are encouraging health care providers that serve these high risk populations to participate in the county wide vaccination effort. You will be able to pre-register to obtain the vaccine to provide vaccinations in your office setting. The Illinois Department of Public Health has set up a website for providers for this pre-registration to receive vaccine. You can click on this link to access the website and register at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=hjYKPm1xTfXcDJczCR1s4A_3d_3d
Direct shipment of vaccine will be available for orders of at least 100 doses.
Please register by AUGUST 31, 2009.
We are also interested in knowing if you or your staff would be able to volunteer for large community clinics or possible school based clinics. If you are interested in volunteering, please email or call:
Keri Zaleski
Emergency Response Coordinator
McHenry County Department of Health
815-334-4893
or
Marylou Ludicky, RN, MPH
Communicable Disease Coordinator
McHenry County Department of Health
815-334-4850