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Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 12/09/2009 10:34 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 12/15/2009 07:15 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
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Calaveras Public Health Dept. announces two H1N1 Vaccine Clinics~ By Tammy Beilstein
With the official start of seasonal flu season less than one month away, the Calaveras County Public Health Department is pleased to announce the scheduling of two H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinics for the general public. The last clinic will be held on:
Friday, December 18th
12:00pm-3:00pm
San Andreas Library
1299 Gold Hunter Road
San Andreas
During the month of November, the Public Health Department offered the H1N1 influenza vaccine to students at local schools and to high risk individuals at a previous community clinic. Now that Phase 2 of the vaccine has arrived, the Health Department is able to provide the second dose of H1N1 vaccine needed for children less than 10 years of age who already received the initial dose and a primary dose for those who did not meet the high-risk criteria.
“We have sufficient H1N1 influenza vaccine to make it available to all persons wanting protection,” reported Dr. Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer. “With the first round of H1N1 influenza vaccine we were able to vaccinate approximately 4,000 people – about 3,000 of them school age children. Delivery of Phase 2 of the H1N1 vaccine has provided us an additional 4,000 doses – enough to relax eligibility and vaccinate young people who may have missed out on the school clinics, healthy adults ages 25 through 64, and all adults over 65 years of age.” The Calaveras County Public Health Department offers the H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinics free to the public and open to all Calaveras residents.
Dr. Kelaita stresses the immunization of individuals 6 months to 24 years old and those with higher risk of serious illness including people with certain chronic medical conditions, weakened immune systems and pregnant women. “It is common for women to be opposed to putting anything in their bodies while pregnant,” said Dr. Kelaita. “Normally that is a good thing, but with this strain of influenza, pregnant women are more likely to become hospitalized and perhaps more likely to die from it.”
Kelaita added, “The seasonal flu shot has been given to millions of pregnant women over the years and has proven to be safe and effective, causing no harm to mothers or their babies. The H1N1 vaccine is made the same way as the regular flu shot. Its effectiveness and side effects are documented every week and monitored by Public Health Officials. So far no serious problems are being reported.”
When questioned further about the safety of the H1N1 influenza vaccine, Dr. Kelaita said he understands that there are many concerns as well as many misconceptions. “It is certainly understandable that people are cautious about what they put in their own bodies and the bodies of their children. After thoroughly looking at the data, scientists have concluded that the H1N1 vaccine is so safe and effective that I chose to have myself and my children vaccinated with both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine.”
To alleviate any reservations individuals may still have regarding H1N1, Dr. Kelaita suggests people conduct their own research using reputable internet websites such as the Centers for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov, Web MD at www.webmd.com, and our own Calaveras County Public Health Department website at www.calaveraspublichealth.com
When on the Calaveras County Public Health Department website you will find a series of 3 unique and extremely helpful videos made by Dr. Kelaita. The first video addresses the introduction of the H1N1 influenza virus, the second deals with H1N1 vaccine information, and the third is a video of an H1N1 Community Presentation filmed at Bret Harte High School.
To view these videos, go to:
http://www.co.calaveras.ca.us/cc/Departments/PublicHealthDepartment/PublicHealthVideo.aspx
For more information regarding H1N1 or any health issue, please contact the Calaveras County Public Health Department at (209) 754-6460 or visit their website at www.calaveraspublichealth.com
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