Public Health Provides 30,635 H1N1 Immunizations
Vaccine Still Available at Immunization Clinics
Since the emergence of the H1N1 pandemic flu in the spring of last year, Public Health Madison and Dane County (PHMDC) has been working in an intensive effort to track and prevent the disease in Dane County. Virtually all of the 180 staff members of the health department have been involved in this effort in one way or another. "Public Health and Madison and Dane County health care systems worked together to vaccinate over 100,000 people in the midst of the H1N1 pandemic that, although it certainly could have been much worse, locally killed 5 and put over 100 in the hospital," said Dr. Thomas Schlenker, Director of PHMDC. " It's a good example of cooperation in time of crisis. I'm especially proud of the many public health staff members who went above and beyond the call of duty." According to Wisconsin Immunization Registry data, as of February 15, 109,808 people have been immunized for H1N1 in Dane County. This represents 23% of the Dane County population. Since October, Public Health - Madison and Dane County has provided 30,635 H1N1 immunizations at 156 sites throughout Dane County in various settings including schools (16,450 immunized), 3 targeted community clinics (7,790 immunized), WIC (1,314 immunized), appointment clinics (1,986 immunized), EMS sponsored clinics (1,551 immunized), and its immunization clinics. A map showing the clinic site distribution can be found at http://www.publichealthmdc.com/disease/swineflu/documents/H1N1ClinicMap…. Some sites had clinics on more than one day and the number of people immunized at a clinic ranged from less than 10 to more than 5,000. Last week, PHMDC finished providing H1N1 immunizations in the schools for students and staff. Approximately 15,000 students and 1,500 school staff were given the H1N1 immunization in Madison and Dane County schools. Although influenza activity has been declining, additional waves of influenza activity due to 2009 H1N1, seasonal flu viruses, or both, may occur later this influenza season. Public Health Madison and Dane County continues to encourage people to get vaccinated against H1N1. Even if you are not in one of the high risk groups for H1N1, it is likely someone you live or work with is. It is important to get vaccinated to protect your own health as well as those of family members and others you are close to. When many people are immunized against the disease, the virus can be controlled and stopped. There remains a large availability of H1N1 vaccine through health care providers, Public Health and several retail pharmacies in Dane County. Public Health will continue to provide free H1N1 immunizations to anyone 6 months of age and older at its regularly scheduled immunization clinics held in Madison, Middleton, Verona, Stoughton and Sun Prairie. No appointments are needed. Information on Public Health immunization clinics can be found at http://www.publichealthmdc.com/disease/swineflu/immunization/clinics.cfm, or call 246-4516. Persons with health insurance are encouraged to get the vaccine from their health care provider. Information about other H1N1 vaccination opportunities is available from United Way 2-1-1 Wisconsin Flu Locator at http://www.wisconsinfluclinic.info or call 2-1-1. A 2009 summary of H1N1 influenza in Dane County is available at http://www.publichealthmdc.com/disease/swineflu/documents/h1n1DaneCount… -END-
