Vaccines arrive in Jasper County
A new supply of H1N1 influenza vaccine has arrived in Jasper County, and limited quantities of the vaccine are available at eight locations around the county.
“We received a supply late last week and are distributing them to our community partners,” said Jennifer Jordan, RN, director of the Jasper County Public Health Nursing Service.
Quantities of the H1N1 vaccine were being distributed to the following medical clinics:
• Baxter Health Services, 208 E. Buchanan, Baxter (641) 227-3045
• Colfax Health Services, 111 N. Walnut, Colfax (515) 674-4186
• Dr. Ruth Spierenburg, 300 N. Fourth Ave. E., Newton (641) 792-6676
• Mercy Colfax Clinic, 19 E. Howard St., Colfax (515) 674-4682
• Monroe Family Health Center, 100 E. Sherman St., Monroe (641) 259-2155
• Monroe Health Services, 206 E. Marion, Monroe (641) 259-3305
• Prairie City Family Clinic, 100 E. Jefferson St., Prairie City (515) 994-2617
• Sully Family Health Center, 704 Third St., Sully (641) 594-3150.
The H1N1 vaccine will be available to those who are in the “first tier” priority groups established by the Iowa Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The priority groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel, persons between the ages of 6 months through 4 years of age, and children between 5 and 18 who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine can be given at the same time and at any time in any sequence with one exception: if using the live nasal spray vaccine for both the seasonal flu and H1N1, they should be given four weeks apart to ensure the best protection from both vaccines.
In addition, it remains important to take personal actions to prevent the spread of the virus. These actions, called the “3Cs,” include: Cover your cough, Clean your hands, and Contain germs by staying home when ill.
Skiff Medical Center has a 24-hour hotline at (641) 792-H1N1 for those wishing to learn the latest information on the influenza outbreak. Out-of-town callers may avoid long-distance charges by dialing Skiff‚ toll-free number at (888) 792-1273 and requesting to listen to the H1N1 hotline. Information is also available at Skiff‚ Web site, www.skiffmed.com.
A statewide toll-free hotline has been established at (800) 447-1985 for public questions about seasonal and H1N1 influenza. More information can also be found at www.idph.state.ia.us.
Comments
