H1N1 Q & A
Do you have H1N1 Vaccine? Yes, we have limited supplies of vaccine and are currently dispensing the vaccine to individuals that are in the 5 priority groups as defined by the CDC.
What are those priority groups? Pregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, anyone from 6 months through 24 years of age, persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions such as chronic lung, heart, kidney, liver, blood, etc.
Where can I get a shot? Individuals should contact their Primary Care Provider (PCP) to inquire about the vaccine. Doctors throughout Cattaraugus County placed orders for vaccine on 10/22/2009 and begin receiving vaccine in their offices by 10/29/2009. Those in Cattaraugus County that have signed up to receive vaccine include the Olean Medical Group, STCHCN (UPC), Dr. A. Patel, Omega Family Medicine, Conewango Valley Medical Center, Dr. Erika Connor, Dr. Thandla, Dr. Salimi, and Dr. Malik. This list grows daily, so please check with your own PCP.
I heard the schools are having clinics! Yes, there are clinics scheduled for every school in Cattaraugus County. These clinics will be for students only. Permission slips are being sent home at each school. For more information including dates and times of school clinics, contact your child’s school directly.
Can I make an appointment to get a shot? Not at this time. There are currently open clinics scheduled in the month of November for anyone in the 5 priority groups mentioned earlier, all dependent upon vaccine availability. CCHD is planning to get vaccine to target groups as soon as possible and has scheduled clinics based on anticipated delivery, meaning clinics may have to rescheduled IF vaccine does not arrive as expected. IF vaccine is delayed, we ask that you be patient, stay home if ill, cover your coughs, wash your hands and stay posted for more information.
I heard there were 3 cases in my child’s school. There are a number of positive cases of Influenza A in Cattaraugus County, with one laboratory-confirmed for H1N1. Dr. Witte reminds us that cases of Influenza A can be assumed to be H1N1, but that additional testing is not being done at this time.
Illness with 2009 H1N1 virus has ranged from mild to severe. While most people who have been sick have recovered without needing medical treatment, hospitalizations and deaths from infection with this virus have occurred.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, you may continue to call either 938-2980 or 701-3980, you may now call TOLL-FREE #2-1-1, or you may go to www.cattco.org/health. Clinic information will be updated as those clinics are scheduled, all dependent upon vaccine availability.
