First supply of H1N1 vaccine is coming to Minnesota

Minnesota will soon receive its first supply of vaccine for the novel H1N1 influenza virus, according to an announcement yesterday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

This initial shipment of the vaccine will be administered to health care and emergency medical workers.  These workers are targeted becasue they are at risk of being exposed to the virus, and they could expose medically vulnerable patients to the virus if they get sick.  In addition, there could be a significant impact on the heatlh care system if they get sick and have to miss work.

The H1N1 vaccine is expected to be available in the coming months and it is recommend by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) that people get vaccinated to protect themselves against H1N1 novel influenza, especially those individuals that are at high risk for severe disease from H1N1 influenza.

To protect yourself and to help reduce the spread of influenza, the MDH recommends:

• Stay home from work or school - and generally avoid going out in public - if you are sick, remain home until 24 hours after your symptomss resolve without the aid of fever-reducing medications.
• If you are an employer, encouage your employees to stay home if they are sick.
• Limit your contact with others who may be ill.
• Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.
• Clean your hands frequently and thoroughly - with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub solution.
• Clean your hands after shaking hands or having other close contact with people, before eathing or preparing food, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Make sure to take enough fluids while you're sick.
• If you develop possible flu symptoms and you want to consult your health care provider, call before going in for an office visit.  You may not need to go in, and if you do need to be seen, a time should be set up when you will not risk exposing others to influena in the waiting room.
• People at risk for sever flu or flu complications should contact their health care provider if they have flu symptoms or have been closely exposed ot people with flu symptoms.
• Get vaccinated for both seasonal and H1N1 novel influenza as soon as vaccine becomes available for you.

For more information about influenza, please visit http://www.mdhflu.com/ or contact your health care provider.