H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information

Please keep in mind the following:

• Health departments and doctors in Michigan are currently providing vaccine, as the supply comes in, to persons in the following priority groups:
  • Pregnant women
  • Children/young adults ages 6 months - 24 years
  • Healthcare workers/medical first responders
  • Parents of children less than 6 months of age
  • Persons aged 25 - 64 with chronic medical conditions
• If you are pregnant, please check with your medical provider to see if vaccine is available through their office. If not, please call your local health department branch office to make an appointment.
• Information packets regarding H1N1 school-based clinics have been sent to all private, charter and public (K-12) schools within our six counties. Childcare and preschool programs can access the information packet by clicking on "vaccination information" below. School-based clinics are targeted for children, ages 6 months - 18 years of age.
• Community clinics for those in the other priority groups will be held in November and December when more vaccine becomes available. Some medical providers will be providing the H1N1 vaccine to their patients who fall into the priority groups during November and December as well.
• There is no vaccine for lower priority groups at this time. However there are actions an individual can do during this time of increased influenza activity.
  • Avoid crowds, if you have a chronic medical condition that puts you at increased risk of complications from influenza. Have someone else do your grocery shopping, avoid or limit settings like church and social settings like club meetings.
  • Flu shots are still recommended for people that have been ill. The only people that don't need to be vaccinated against H1N1 are people that have had their illness confirmed by the State Health Department laboratory. Tests performed in a doctor's office to detect influenza are not accurate enough to confirm the presence or absence of H1N1.

Central Michigan District Health Department has created a 2009 novel H1N1 vaccination plan based on the priority groups set by the Centers for Disease Control.

Priority groups are:

• Pregnant women
  
• Children/young adults ages 6 months - 24 years
• Healthcare workers/medical first responders
• Parents of children less than 6 months of age
• Persons aged 25-64 with chronic medical conditions

Three types of clinics will be offered in November 2009.

• Medical first responder and healthcare workers clinics
• School-based clinics (for children in daycare, preschool and K-12 settings)
• Community clinics (for local residents who meet the priority groups)
• These clinics are not open to the general public.

We will schedule community clinics for the general public once we've had an opportunity to vaccinate the priority groups and have an adequate supply of vaccine to hold clinics of this size. These clinic dates, times and locations will be posted on our website and sent to local media partners.

In addition, many local doctors and pharmacies in our district have volunteered to assist us in providing this vaccine to our local residents in the 5 priority groups. They will be doing so at the same time Central Michigan District Health Department is conducting clinics.