Miami Co. H1N1 clinics set for November

TROY, Ohio (WDTN) - H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine is starting to trickle in to Miami County. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming H1N1 vaccine clinics.

WHEN

The first of several H1N1 vaccine clinics will be held on Monday, November 2 from 11am to 5pm. This first clinic will be for “Group A” people only. A second clinic will be held on Tuesday, November 3 from 1pm to 7pm and will be for Group B people (this includes people from Group A as well). Vaccine will arrive weekly. Additional clinics will follow as more vaccine becomes available. Please be prepared to return to a later clinic if vaccine runs out during a clinic. “Groups” of people are defined later in this article.

WHERE

All Health District clinics will be held in the old Steve & Barry’s store located in the Miami Valley Centre Mall in Piqua. The only entry to the clinic will be from the parking lot entrance. There will be no entry to the clinic from inside the mall. H1N1 vaccine will not be given at the Health District’s office. In addition to the Health District clinic, several area pharmacies, pediatricians, and obstetricians will be giving the H1N1 vaccine. Since the number of vaccines shipped to each county is dependent upon the population (counted by the census), Miami County residents should get their vaccine from Miami County and not from another county. If you attempt to get the vaccine in another county, you may be turned away and would be taking a vaccine away from someone in another county who needs it. Several clinics have already started in Ohio, but many will start after Miami County. Would you want someone to come from outside Miami County to take your vaccine? Be responsible, stay in Miami County.

WHO

Due to delivery delays, vaccine will be given to progressively increasing numbers of groups. Groups that will receive the vaccine first have changed over the past few weeks. You must wait until your group is announced to get vaccine. Groups are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations and will be strictly followed. Groups are based on risk for getting the H1N1 virus and having complications. For example, Group A people are at much higher risk for getting the H1N1 virus and having complications so they will receive the vaccine first. If a Group A clinic is announced, you must be in Group A to get the vaccine. If you do not fall into the Group being vaccinated that day, you will not receive vaccine.

Group A

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or provide day care for kids under 6 months
• Health care and EMS workers WITH direct patient care
• Ages 6 months to 4 years
• Ages 5 years to 18 years WITH chronic medical condition*
• NOTE: Kids age 2 years to 4 years old will receive the nasal spray vaccine UNLESS they have asthma or a chronic medical condition.

Group B

• Everyone from Group A
• All other health care and EMS workers
• Age 5 years to 24 years
• NOTE: People age 2 years to 24 years old will receive the nasal spray vaccine UNLESS they are pregnant, have received another nasal vaccine in the last 30 days, have asthma, or have a chronic medical condition.

Group C

• Everyone from Groups A and B
• Age 25 to 64 WITH chronic medical condition*
• NOTE: People age 2 years to 24 years old will receive the nasal spray vaccine UNLESS they are pregnant, have received another nasal vaccine in the last 30 days, have asthma, or have a chronic medical condition.

Group D

• Everyone from Groups A, B, and C
• Age 25 and up (everyone)
• NOTE: People age 2 years to 24 years old will receive the nasal spray vaccine UNLESS they are pregnant, have received another nasal vaccine in the last 30 days, have asthma, or have a chronic medical condition.

*Chronic medical conditions: chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension/high blood pressure), renal, hepatic, neurologic/neuromuscular, hematologic, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus) and immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by HIV).

VACCINE TYPES
Vaccine will be available in several different forms. Some vaccine forms are approved for use on only certain age groups and health conditions. It is possible that the Health District will receive vaccine that can only be given to specific people within a Group. For example, the nasal spray vaccine cannot be given to pregnant women, kids under 2 years, or to anyone who has received a nasal spray vaccine in the last 30 days (this includes the regular seasonal flu spray). These people must receive a shot and not a nasal spray. While a specific Group clinic may be scheduled, the Health District may not have all of the specific vaccines for everyone in the Group.

HOW MUCH
Vaccine given at a Health District clinic is free. Vaccine given by other providers (pharmacies or doctors’ offices) may have an administration fee.

REGISTRATION
Everyone is encouraged to pre-register online for the H1N1 vaccine. Pre-registering will allow you to be notified when your Group’s clinic will be held. Pre-registering also improves accuracy, saves you time at the clinic, and will make things flow quickly. Registering does not guarantee you a vaccine. When you register, make sure you print out the form and take it with you to the clinic, pharmacy, or doctor’s office where you will get the vaccine. If you register online but forget to bring the printed form with you to the clinic, you will be required to fill out a new paper form. Anyone under the age of 18 must have either 1) A parent or guardian present, or 2) A printed preregistration form SIGNED by the parent or guardian.

INFORMATION
Watch the Miami County website for the latest clinic scheduling information. You can also follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Visit their site at www.miamicountyhealth.net .