H1N1 Vaccine Availability Update

 ·        Vaccine is now available to all groups!

Thanks for all your support of public health services! Your patience and kind words are appreciated during this very busy time.  Additional information can be obtained at the following website:

 www.bchealth.info/publichealth.asp

Answers to your questions:

• The H1N1 vaccine is "free" from the federal government. There is no charge for the vaccine.
• Women who are breastfeeding can receive the nasal spray flu vaccine: www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5705al.htm
• If you have been on antivirals, you cannot receive the nasal spray vaccine until 48 hours after your last dose of antiviral. If you get the nasal spray vaccine and start an antiviral within 2 weeks after, the vaccine may not provide protection: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/antiviral.htm
• Nasal spray H1N1 vaccine spray does not contain Thimerosal.
• Children 9 years of age and younger will need to receive the vaccine twice, at least one month apart.
• If you have received a seasonal influenza vaccine by nasal spray form recently, you cannot receive the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine until 28 days after the seasonal nasal spray flu vaccine was given.

The staff here at the Public Health Department thanks all of you for all your support in helping us with our vaccination campaign against  Influenza A (H1N1). We are on "Wave 2" of this H1N1 outbreak, expecting "Wave 3" possibly yet before spring and for this strain to return again next fall according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Getting vaccinated will be important whenever the vaccine is available! In the mean time:

• Cover your cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Clean your hands.
• Contain germs. (STAY HOME when ill until the fever subsides for 24 hours without fever reducing medications.)

Stay Healthy!