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State Public Health Director Urges People to be Patient - H1N1 vaccine is coming

Limited supply of H1N1 vaccine
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, is urging Illinoisans to be patient in getting the H1N1 vaccine. Due to slower than anticipated production, there is currently a limited supply of the H1N1 vaccine nationwide.
However, manufacturers continue to produce the vaccine as quickly as possible and supplies are expected to increase throughout November and December.

"Illinois will continue to receive additional shipments of the H1N1 vaccine so there will be enough vaccine for everyone," Dr. Arnold said.
"Certain people are at higher risk of complications due to the 2009 H1N1 flu and others work with populations at risk of complications, so we ask you to consider allowing these people to receive their H1N1 flu vaccination first. Again, additional doses of the H1N1 vaccine will be delivered to providers over the coming weeks and months so there will be enough vaccine to go around. In the meantime, we ask that you be patient and take everyday preventive actions to stay healthy - follow the 3 Cs: Clean, Cover and Contain."

The H1N1 vaccine is being delivered directly to local health departments and hospitals across Illinois, outside Chicago (Chicago receives its own supply), to begin vaccinating the following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designated priority
populations:

Pregnant women
Household contacts and care givers for children younger than six-months of age Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel All people from six-months through 24-years of age Persons aged 25-64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza Children younger than 10-years should receive two doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine. This is slightly different from CDC's recommendations for seasonal influenza vaccination, which state that children younger than nine who are being vaccinated against influenza for the first time need to receive two doses. Infants younger than six months of age are too young to get the 2009 H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

"We encourage people to get the H1N1 vaccine for themselves and their families when it becomes available, even if that means waiting until later in the season," said Dr. Arnold. "Since we expect to see the H1N1 virus continue to circulate throughout the winter and into next spring, it won't be too late to get the H1N1 vaccine in the coming months."

Both the nasal spray and injectable form of the vaccine are available.
For a list of public H1N1 vaccination sites and clinic times, as well as additional information on the 2009 H1N1 flu, log onto www.ready.illinois.gov.

For non-medical questions about the H1N1 virus, call the Illinois Flu Hotline at (866) 848-2094 or (866) 241-2138 (Spanish).

To stay healthy and limit the spread of flu, follow the 3 Cs:

CLEAN - wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of germs.
COVER - your cough and sneeze with a tissue or sleeve, not your hand.
CONTAIN - contain your germs. Stay home if you are sick.

• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
• Household contacts and care givers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger 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 from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who 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 of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and,
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

What can I do to protect myself against the seasonal flu?
By far, the single best way to prevent the flu is for individuals, especially people at high risk for serious complications from the flu, to get a vaccination each fall.

What are other steps that can be taken to prevent the flu?
There are other good health habits that can help prevent the flu. These are:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too. If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Also, antiviral medications may be used to prevent the flu. See Questions and Answers: Antiviral Medications.

How long can human influenza viruses remain viable on inanimate items (such as books and doorknobs)?
Studies have shown that human influenza viruses generally can survive on surfaces for between 2 and 8 hours.

What kills influenza virus?
Influenza virus is destroyed by heat (167-212°F [75-100°C]). In addition, several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and alcohols are effective against influenza viruses if used in proper concentration for sufficient length of time. For example, wipes or gels with alcohol in them can be used to clean hands. The gels should be rubbed until they are dry.