Date:               October 29, 2009

Contact:          John Zimmerman, Public Information Officer: 928-524-4750

                        Janelle Virtue, Public Health Nursing Supervisor: 928-532-6050

                        Wade Kartchner, MD Health Director: 928-524-4750

H1N1 Related Death In Navajo County

Navajo County Public Health Services District reports they have received confirmation from the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory for a 2009 H1N1 Influenza related death at Summit Regional Medical Center. There were underlying or preexisting medical conditions that contributed to this death.

“The virus has caused illness ranging from mild to severe, and people in the priority groups noted in this release, including those from ages 25 to 64 with chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems, need to seek out their primary care provider or the health department to be vaccinated against the H1N1 virus,” said Wade Kartchner, Public Health Director.

Navajo County Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Manager Don Walker encourages everyone to be responsible and take the following precautions: Use good personal hygiene such as washing hands frequently. Parents should ensure that their children also wash their hands frequently. Stay at home if you are ill, drink fluids, dispose of used tissues, and cover your cough.

The 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available at the Public Health offices for the priority group set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.  The priority groups are comprised of people who are most at risk for contracting the disease or developing complications from the 2009 H1N1 virus

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children 6 months or younger
• Healthcare and emergency medical personnel with direct patient care
• Children 6 months to 24 year of age
• People 24 to 64 years who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems

“We are asking our seniors to be patient,” said Dr. Kartchner, “It is important for us to vaccinate your grandchildren and children first.”  This strain is affecting children and young people more than seniors.  There is evidence that suggests that seniors have some immunity to this strain.

The county health offices in Show Low, Holbrook, and Winslow offer the H1N1 vaccines to the priority groups twice a month. There are other H1N1 providers in the county. To find dates and times of these clinics or other participating vaccine providers in Navajo County please call our Health Help Line: 532-6057.

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PROVIDERS WHO HAVE H1N1 VACCINE &/OR MIST

October 29, 2009

Safeway Pharmacy Show Low

Safeway Pharmacy Winslow

Safeway Pharmacy Holbrook

Your Family Practice Team - Show Low

Lakeside Family Health Center

Summit Regional Medical Center

North Country Community Health Center Holbrook

Little Colorado Medical Center

Little Colorado Physician’s Office

North Country Community Health Center Winslow

Peace Family Medicine – Lakeside

Pediatrics in the Pines – Show Low

Sierra Blanca Clinic – Lakeside

Snowflake Medical Center

University OB/GYN

Walgreens Pharmacy – Show Low

Date:               For Immediate Release

Contact:          John Zimmerman, Public Information Officer: 928-524-4750

                        Janelle Virtue, Public Health Nursing Supervisor: 928-532-6050

                        Wade Kartchner, MD Health Director: 928-524-4750

2009 H1N1 Vaccine Slowly Arrives into Navajo County

Navajo County Public Health Services District reports that the first shipment of the 2009 H1N1 LAIV vaccine also known as Flu Mist has been received. Health District staff will have distributed the LAIV vaccines to those medical practitioners, clinics, hospitals and pharmacies who have elected to dispense by Friday October 16, 2009.

The first shipments of the LAIV vaccine and injectible vaccine which are expected to arrive next week are designated for the priority groups that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) have established. These priority groups are comprised of people who are most at risk for contracting or developing complications from the 2009 H1N1 Influenza. 

·         Pregnant women

·         People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age

·         Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient care

·         Children 6 months through 24 years of age

·         People from ages 24 through 64 years who are at a higher risk for the H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

The first vaccine received is the Flu Mist; a live viral formulation that complicates the picture for distribution because most of the priority groups cannot accept this vaccine. Public Health District staff will be offering the H1N1 Flu Mist vaccine to the priority groups during the Big Shot Flu Clinic scheduled for Saturday October 24, 2009 at the Blue Ridge Intermediate School from 10 A.M. to 1 P.M. or as supplies last. The priority groups who can accept this H1N1 Flu Mist vaccine are:

·         Healthy children and young people ages 2 through 24 years

·         Healthy people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age

·         Healthy healthcare and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient care who are 18 through 49 years of age.

By healthy, we mean people who have none of the underlying conditions that may increase the chance for complications of a flu infection.

This live viral form of the vaccine is not recommended for use in pregnant women or for those

suffering from chronic medical conditions or who are immunocompromised.

Mary Tyler, Assistant Director of Public Health, is encouraging those who are in this priority group to make every effort to get immunized. 

Public Health Spokesperson, John Zimmerman, stated that “2009 H1N1 vaccines are expected to be received approximately every 2 weeks. As additional vaccines are received the priority group will be expanded.”

Navajo County Public Health Services District is working daily with the Arizona Department of Health Services to ensure that steady supplies of vaccines will be distributed to our community partners.

If your health practitioner does not have the vaccine or has chosen not to be a participating provider, you will have the opportunity to go elsewhere.  The Navajo County Public Health Services District has set up a help line to assist the public in locating a participating 2009 H1N1 vaccine provider.  The help line will be available during normal county business hours Monday through Thursday 7 A.M to 6 P.M. The phone number is 928-532-6057.

Do your part to stop the spread of flu in Navajo County. Cover your cough with your sleeve, wash your hands and stay home when you are sick.  For more information on the 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu in Navajo County visit www.navajocountymrc.comor www.navajocountyaz.govand www.stopthespreadaz.org

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