KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Two New H1N1 Vaccination Clinics Scheduled for High-Risk Groups
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This information also will be posted at www.washoecounty.us/health. Additional information can be found at
· 1.866.767.5038 – Nevada Help, a toll free, bilingual hotline which is staffed from
7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (PST), seven days a week and offers novel H1N1 flu information specific to Washoe County (please note the new hours for this service) · www.washoecounty.us/flu
In following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washoe County Health District (WCHD) has scheduled two additional free novel H1N1 flu vaccination clinics for those who are at greater risk of getting the novel H1N1 flu or of developing potentially serious complications if they do become ill with the virus. Following are clinic details:
· Saturday, December 5, 2009 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
· Tuesday, December 8, 2009 – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2,450 wristbands will be reserved for each of these clinics (see below for wristband and paperwork distribution information).
Anyone in a high-risk group can register for these clinics (see below for high-risk group guidelines).
Any child younger than 10 years of age who received their first dose of novel H1N1 flu vaccine on or before November 7, 2009 is now due for the recommended second dose. Each child coming to a WCHD clinic for their second dose MUST follow the procedure for getting a wristband and paperwork described below – they CANNOT use the wristband from their first vaccination. Children are welcome to attend one of the WCHD's novel H1N1 flu vaccination clinics to receive their second dose, even if the first dose was given elsewhere.
There is no charge for the second dose if received at a WCHD vaccination clinic.
2. WRISTBAND AND PAPERWORK DISTRIBUTION
Color-coded wristbands, forms and corresponding times for participants to return to get vaccinated at the December 5 and December 8 clinics will be distributed on Friday, December 4, 2009, beginning at 7 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis while supply lasts. Staff will continue distribution until 4:30 p.m. or until wristbands run out, whichever comes first.
In an effort to accommodate individual schedules, we will make every effort to provide a wristband whose color corresponds to a vaccination time that will work for you.
Wristbands and forms will NOT be distributed on December 5 or December 8. You MUST pick them up on Friday and MUST bring them with you on your scheduled day in order to be vaccinated.
Important -You do not need to pick up your wristband and paperwork in person as long as you are in a high-risk group. For example, a parent can pick up a wristband and paperwork for a child that they intend to bring back on Saturday to be vaccinated without bringing the child with them on Friday. Or, if your work hours prevent you from picking up a wristband and paperwork for yourself, a relative or friend can do it for you as long as you are in a high-risk group.
Participants for all clinics will be asked to complete and sign a form describing why they meet high-risk group criteria. Adults need to bring a photo ID to verify their age.
3. HIGH-RISK GROUP GUIDELINES
In following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Washoe County Health District currently is targeting novel H1N1 flu vaccination clinics to those who are at greater risk of getting the novel H1N1 flu or of developing potentially serious complications if they do become ill with the virus. These high-risk groups include the following:
· Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity
· Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated
· Household contacts, caregivers and daycare providers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus
· All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
o Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
o Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population; and
· Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions (for example, asthma or diabetes) associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
Those age 65 years of age and older are considered to be at high-risk only if they
· Work in a healthcare setting
· Are a household contact of or caregiver for children younger than 6 months of age.
At this point, far fewer people in the 65+ age group have been getting sick with the H1N1 flu than those of younger ages. So people in this age group are not considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be at high-risk for the novel H1N1 flu, even if they have underlying, on-going health conditions, such as heart problems, lung problems, etc.
People in the 65+ age group will be offered vaccination against the novel H1N1 flu as soon as enough vaccine is available for the (CDC) to recommend that clinics be opened up to the general public. We don't yet know when this will be, though it is likely that the focus will continue to be on the high-risk groups for the near future. Check www.washoecounty.us/flu, watch local media reports, or call 1.866.767.5038 for the most current information.
4. PARKING AND BUILDING ACCESS
Paperwork/wristband distribution and all vaccination clinics will take place at the Washoe County Administrative Complex 1001 East Ninth Street, Reno.
In response to community feedback, we've made the following changes for easier access. Please follow these directions for both paperwork/wristband distribution and vaccination:
Disabled/handicapped/special needs access
Those who have difficulty walking or standing may enter at the first gate on Wells Avenue, about a block north of the intersection of East Ninth Street and Wells. You may park in a special reserved area next to Building B (click here for link to map http://www.washoecounty.us/repository/images/4/clinic-map.gif ).
Enter the main entrance of the Health Department (Building B) and check in with the staff in the lobby that will help expedite the process.
All others
Please enter at the main gates to the Complex on East Ninth Street, about a block east of the intersection of East Ninth Street and Wells Avenue (click here for link to map http://www.washoecounty.us/repository/images/4/clinic-map.gif).
After parking your vehicle, you may enter through the doors at Building D (Assessor/Comptroller/Treasurer's offices). Staff and/or signs will guide you to the locations for paperwork/wristband distribution and vaccination clinics.
5. ADDITIONAL VACCINATION CLINIC INFORMATION
It is very important that you return to get vaccinated at your designated time. People who reserve a space and then don't show up take away an opportunity for vaccination from someone else.
Each participant attending a Washoe County Health District clinic is expected to behave appropriately by showing courtesy and respect to others. Inappropriate behavior (such as cutting in front of others already in line) or altercations of any kind will not be tolerated.
6. BRING A CAN OF FOOD FOR THE FOOD BANK OF NORTHERN NEVADA
In an effort to assist those in need in our community, the Washoe County Health District is hosting a food drive to collect canned goods for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada in conjunction with December's novel H1N1 flu vaccination clinics. You are welcome to bring a can of food to donate when picking up your wristband and/or getting vaccinated.
Collection barrels will be located at the entrances described above under "Parking and Building Access." You are not required to bring a donation in order to be vaccinated.
The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is a regional food distribution and support system serving over 100 partner agencies in Northern Nevada and the Eastern Sierra. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada provides and supports programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafe (dinner program), Kids Cafe Summer Meals program, Food Stamp Outreach and much more. Among clients who visit emergency food program sites, 58 percent are over age 50 and 35 percent are over age 65. Children are the most vulnerable to hunger – 37 percent of emergency food recipients are children under the age of 18. Last year the Food Bank of Northern Nevada provided more than 4 million meals to low income seniors, children and families. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is a member of Feeding America ~ The Nation's Food Bank Network (formerly America's Second Harvest).
