On August 13, 2009, a League staff member attended a briefing by the Alabama Department of Public Health on the H1N1 (swine) flu. Dr. Williamson said this virus has spread more rapidly around the world than any in human history – just six weeks – and that “we are now seeing a pandemic in real life.”
While there’s no need to panic, parents should definitely have their children (6 months and older) vaccinated as soon as the H1N1 vaccination is available (expected in mid-to-late September and will most likely be a two-tiered vaccination with a second shot administered 21 days or so after the first). The initial target groups for the vaccine are:
- Children 6 months through adults age 24
- Pregnant women
- Healthcare and emergency service personnel
- People with household contact of children under 6 months of age
- Adults ages 25 through 64 who are at higher risk due to chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems
After the initial focus, the vaccine is expected to be offered to healthy adults. Influenza immunizations will be recommended but not mandated for school students, and written permission will be required before children are immunized in the schools. Specifics will be announced at a later date.
This is a link to a recent release from the ADPH on how to safeguard your children. PLEASE READ IT! http://adph.org/news/assets/090807.pdf
Dr. Williamson further stressed that if you are sick – STAY HOME! Of course, you can expose others to the virus 24 to 48 hours before exhibiting symptoms, but if you do become sick, STAY HOME. Do not return to work until you’ve been fever free (without the aid of any medication) for 24 hours.
For more information on H1N1, visit http://adph.org/H1N1Flu/index.asp?id=3571 and/or http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
And be sure to get your traditional flu shot as soon as they are available! |
