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Flu Vaccines

Reservations Still Available for School H1N1 Vaccine Clinics

State health officials stressed last week that residents should not become complacent when it comes to H1N1 flu.  While flu like disease reports have declined statewide recently, the numbers may very likely spike again during the holidays.  In Ottawa County, a total of 1,603 cases of flu like illness were recorded from November 15 through November 21, up slightly from the 1,377 recorded during the previous week (November 8 through 14).

The Ottawa County Health Department is still accepting reservations for free H1N1 vaccine clinics scheduled for:

Date
Time
Location
Address
Wednesday, December 2
4 – 8 pm
Grand Haven High School
17001 Ferris Street
Thursday, December 3
4 – 8 pm
West Ottawa High School South Campus
3600 152nd Avenue
Wednesday, December 9
4 – 8 pm
Hudsonville High School
5037 32nd Avenue
Saturday, December 12
9 am – 1 pm
Coopersville Middle School
198 East Street

Reservations are required and can be made online.

Those who are unable to access the website can make a reservation by calling 2-1-1 or 1-877-211-LAKE (5253).  Due to limited supply of H1N1 vaccine, only those who qualify for vaccine under an H1N1 priority group are eligible.  H1N1 Priority Groups include:
-those between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
-pregnant women
-people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems
-people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
-healthcare and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient care

MS. SHANNON J. FELGNER
Communications Specialist
Ottawa County Health Department

12251 James Street Suite 400
Holland, Michigan 49424
Office: 616-494-5597
Cell: 616-638-1276
Fax: 616-393-5643

www.miOttawa.org/MediaRoom
The Ottawa County Health Department is committed to providing environmental protection, health promotion, disease prevention and assuring quality health services to Ottawa County residents. Established in 1931, the department employs 105 dedicated public health ambassadors. Offices are located in Holland, Hudsonville, and Grand Haven. For detailed information about our services visit www.miOttawa.org/Health.

The information contained in this message including attachments, may be privileged, confidential, protected from disclosure, and is intended only for the use of the individual to whom it is addressed. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you receive this communication in error, please delete it and destroy any copies of the original message. Thank you.


Now even grandmothers are joining Facebook! Flu Granny can keep you informed about H1N1 flu.   Fan her at
www.facebook.com/flugranny!Need tools to educate your workforce, organization, students, congregation, or other audience?
Download flu prevention posters, images, audio files and more at
www.miOttawa.org/flu.


Promote flu prevention!

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Preparing for a Healthy School Year

handwashingIf you have been following the news since last spring, you are aware that a new virus has been mutating and spreading, world wide. This new virus, H1N1–also called the Swine Flu,  was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. This virus is spreading from person-to-person in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

As a district, we have been watching the reports predicting the spread of the H1N1 will increase as soon as school resumes.  Mr. Nick Ceglarek, our superintendent, has asked that we share two documents regarding this virus.

The first, H1N1 Parent Letter sept 09, is a letter for parents from our local Ottawa County Health Department.  I encourage you to read this so that you are informed about symptoms, treatment and precautions.

The second document, CDC H1N1 Tips, is similar but has more specific preventative strategies to share with family and friends.

If your child develops a cough or fever, PLEASE be on alert and keep your child home from school.  Children should not return to school until they are SYMPTOM FREE FOR 24 HOURS.  Your help with this protocol will help to prevent others from getting sick.

We will encourage handwashing just as we always do and focus on a healthy learning environment that is clean and safe.  Please know that we are also going to be calm and supportive,  working to not raise children’s anxieties about flu worries.

If you would like to know more about the CDC tips for all health issues, visit the live CDC link on the upper right corner of this blog.

Also, if you would like to help your own children learn how to wash their hands properly, listen to the CDC’s kid friendly podcast below.  Here’s to clean hands and good health!

kidtastics cdcCDC Kidtastic Podcast:

How To Wash Your Hands

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