Health Department Opens H1N1 FluMist Vaccine Clinic 

The Metro Public Health Department began offering H1N1 FluMist nasal spray vaccine to the general public in addition to health care workers on Tuesday, October 13th. Since then we have provided the vaccine to more than 1,200 people.  Our clinic, located at the Lentz Health Center, 311 23rd Ave. North, offers the vaccine free as long as supplies last from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m, Monday through Friday.  The Health Department opened the clinic with nearly 5,000 doses of H1N1 FluMist nasal spray vaccine. We currently have no H1N1 injectable flu vaccine.

H1N1 FluMist nasal spray is limited to those ages 2 – 49, with no underlying health conditions, and not pregnant. If you have had Seasonal FluMist then you must wait 28 days before receiving the H1N1 FluMist.

H1N1 influenza continues to occur in Davison County. The Health Department recommends children and young adults get vaccinated because they are at greatest risk of illness from H1N1 flu and its complications.

We are planning to open more H1N1 vaccine community clinics to the general public, based on availability, in early November.  I'll provide more information on those in the coming weeks.

The following groups of people will be encouraged to seek the vaccine at the community flu shot clinics or through other vaccine providers. These priority groups are based on recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• pregnant women (flu shot only)
• persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers),
• health-care and emergency medical services personnel
• persons aged 6 months--24 years, and
• persons aged 25--64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.*

Data have shown that persons 65 years and older are less likely to get sick from H1N1 influenza. The vaccine will initially be available in limited quantities. For this reason, the first doses are recommended to go to those people who are more likely to become infected and ill. We expect to eventually have enough vaccine for anyone who wants it, but are requesting that persons over 65 not be in a hurry to receive H1N1 vaccine.

MPHD is working with Metro Public Schools to offer H1N1 flu vaccine to children and staff at elementary, middle and high schools in Davidson County. Parents are being contacted about the opportunity to have children immunized at school and children whose parents consent will receive the vaccine in the coming weeks.

Many of the usual providers of flu vaccine have ordered vaccine and will have it available. Community providers may charge an administration fee of under $20. However, all H1N1 vaccine provided by the Health Department will be offered free of charge.

MPHD is preparing to administer vaccine to as many as 130,000 people over approximately three months.

I invite you to visit the Health Department's website (health.nashville.gov) for information and the latest guidance for the community, including schools, employers, and faith based organizations. The Health Department also has a recorded community information telephone line (615-340-7775) with the latest information about seasonal and H1N1 flu.

Seasonal flu shots are widely available now in Nashville. For the best protection against flu get the seasonal flu shot now and get the H1N1 flu shot when they are available.

For the latest information on H1N1 flu check out the Metro Public Health Department’s website at www.health.nashville.gov.

Basic prevention
Like ordinary flu viruses, the 2009 H1N1 influenza (flu) virus can spread from person to person when an ill person coughs and sneezes. When people cough or sneeze, they spread infectious droplets through the air or onto surfaces that other people may touch. The Health Department wants you to help reduce the spread of flu by taking the following steps.

• Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing or cough into your shirt sleeve. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Get the seasonal flu shot when it becomes available.
• Get the H1N1 flu shots when that vaccine becomes available.

What to do if you are sick with fever and flu-like symptoms:

• Stay home until you have been fever free without taking medicine for at least 24 hours.
• Consult your primary care provider if you are concerned about your illness.
• Do not visit emergency rooms unless your symptoms are severe.
• Understand that laboratory testing to determine what kind of flu is present is not always necessary
• If your child is sick, keep them at home. Consult your pediatrician.

Flu-like symptoms include:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Headache
• Extreme tiredness
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• In some cases, vomiting and diarrhea

Leaders and managers role
Leaders in schools, workplaces and other organizations can take action now to make it easier for people to adhere to these preventive measures. Frequent reminders including posters, prominent availability of hand sanitizer, and attention to illness and leave policies are a few steps that people can take. Additional resources for worksites are available at the CDC website

Stay informed
I invite you to visit the Health Department's website (health.nashville.gov) for information and the latest guidance for the community, including schools, employers, and faith based organizations. The Health Department also has a recorded community information telephone line (615-340-7775) with the latest information about seasonal and H1N1 flu.

Thank you for your commitment to a Healthy Nashville!

Bill Paul, M.D., Director of Health of Nashville/Davidson County

Letter Home to Parents, August 18, 2009

Carta importante para los padres

For more information on the H1N1 Flu Virus, please visit the Metropolitan Health Department or the Centers of Disease Control