December 10, 2009

All I want for Christmas is to Have No Flu

Health Districts Lift All Restrictions on Vaccine

While reports of flu-like illness have tapered off considerably in the past few weeks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that the holidays may bring more than Santa and his reindeer. As people travel they’ll be sharing the flu virus, which is much worse than getting coal in your stocking.

The best prevention is to get your flu shot, especially the vaccine for H1N1. To make it easier to prevent flu-like illness, the health districts of southwest Idaho are lifting all restrictions on who can get immunized against the H1N1 (swine) flu. The health districts are also distributing vaccine to private providers and pharmacies, providing community members with even more options for getting vaccinated.

“While we are now inviting everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated we still want to emphasize that younger people, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions should make an extra effort to get vaccinated,” says Russ Duke, Director of Central District Health. “Through vaccinations we can reduce the impact of the disease on schools and workplaces by preventing its spread.”

Previous flu pandemics have swept over the population in waves. The H1N1 flu is behaving like the pandemics of 1918 and 1957 in that respect, so it wouldn’t be unusual to see a late winter resurgence in the disease.

“We know that flu can be unpredictable and it is still possible we’ll see another wave of H1N1 infections,” says Bruce Krosch, Director of Southwest District Health. “Getting your H1N1 vaccination now will provide you added protection against the virus,” he said.

Idaho Governor Butch Otter has encouraged state employees to try and get vaccinated before Christmas, which is good advice for everyone.

Southwest District Health will be holding H1N1 vaccination clinics at the former Sportsman’s Warehouse on the following days and times:

• Saturday December 12th 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday December 15th 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday December 19th 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Tuesday December 29th 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Central District Health Department will be holding H1N1 vaccination clinics on the following days and times:

• Monday December 14th 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. former Comp USA store at 1195 N Milwaukee St, Boise.
• Wednesday December 16th 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Boise Centre on the Grove, Perch Room.
• Monday December 21st 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. former Comp USA store at 1195 N Milwaukee St, Boise.
• Monday December 21st 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., Meridian Middle School, 1507 W 8th St, Meridian.

For additional information on the flu, citizens are encouraged to visit the websites of both health districts or call their flu hotlines:

Southwest District Health www.swdh.org. SWDH Flu Hotline 455-5411.

Central District Health www.cdhd.idaho.gov. CDHD Flu Hotline 321-2222.