Español
posted January 15, 2010 4:23 PM
Dane County residents are encouraged to take advantage of the wide availability of H1N1 vaccine and get immunized. Even though December was relatively quiet with a low level of H1N1confirmed cases, hospitalizations and doctor visits for influenza-like illness, H1N1 could come back in a third wave, especially now that schools are back in session.
H1N1 vaccine is available to anyone who wants the vaccine through local health care providers, pharmacies, public health and other community organizations.
New data from the Wisconsin Division of Health suggests a need to focus particular attention on immunizing racial and ethnic minorities. The data shows that during the fall, when reports of H1N1 infection were high throughout Wisconsin, state hospitalization rates were higher among minority populations than among non-Hispanic whites.
In the upcoming weeks, public health and its partners will be outreaching to these populations to promote immunization, and provide information on how to stay healthy and what to do if when sick.
Beginning Tuesday, January 19 and for the following three weeks, Public Health will be returning to the schools to resume the H1N1 vaccination program, which was interrupted last fall due to vaccine shortages. Parents of school children in specific schools in Madison and Dane County will soon be receiving information from their school, if they haven't already. More information on school clinics is on the Public Health website at
http://www.publichealthmdc.com/disease/swineflu/K12/clinics.cfm. Parents can also call the Public Health Madison and Dane County flu line at 243-0555 with any questions they have regarding these clinics.
Public Health will also be providing H1N1 immunizations at its regularly scheduled immunization clinics. Immunizations are free and provided on a walk-in basis. Persons with health insurance are encouraged to get the vaccine from their health care provider. Information on public health immunization clinics can be found at
http://www.publichealthmdc.com/disease/immunizations/clinics.cfm Information about other H1N1 vaccination opportunities is available from United Way 2-1-1 Wisconsin Flu Clinic Locator at
http://www.wisconsinfluclinic.info, or call 2-1-1.
