H1N1 Clinic Held

There haven’t been any new reported cases on campus as of the date of The Highlander’s last H1N1 flu update. It looks like things are getting healthier on campus and in the nation.

According to the Center of Disease Control, as of Nov. 13, 2009, the nation has seen a decrease of H1N1 reports. Two weeks prior to the Nov. 13 release of information, 48 states had reported widespread influenza activity, now that number has dropped to 46 states. The number of doctor visits has also decreased, though the hospitalization rate of confirmed H1N1 cases has climbed and remained higher than usual for this time of the year. The majority of hospitalized patients are younger than four-years-old.

While it may seem next to impossible to get a flu shot due to the shortage of vaccinations, the government has announced they will be organizing clinics on Nov. 20, 21, and 22. During those three days, H1N1 vaccinations will be available for those who qualify through pre-registration; with a priority given to children and pregnant women. Due to vaccine doses given to Pennsylvania by the federal government being less than estimated, the Department of Health has requested that only individuals in the following target groups attend these public health clinics for vaccinations:

• Children between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old

• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months

• Pregnant women

• Healthcare providers and emergency medical services personnel

• Those under 65 years old with underlying health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, and neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders.

If students wish to receive a vaccination, it is required that they schedule an appointment ahead of time and fill out a consent form. Appointments can be made by visiting http://www.h1n1inpa.com. The American Lung Association urges all individuals to confirm clinic locations, hours, eligibility and availability, as well as consulting their primary care doctor before scheduling an appointment.

H1N1 vaccinations are given by needle into the arm, and are now available at some locations via nasal spray. Currently, the expected scheduled locations in our area are in Scranton, Dickson City, and Moosic. Although these locations are temporarily out of stock, they are expected to be refilled and available during the three-day clinic.

• In Scranton, a clinic for H1N1 vaccinations will be held in Walgreens on 330 S. Main Ave.

• In Dickson City, you can find H1N1 vaccinations at their Target, located at 1140 Commerce Blvd.

• In Moosic, Kmart is offering shots to those who qualify for H1N1 flu shots, as well as seasonal flu shots. That address is 3382 Birney Plaza, Moosic.

MU students received the H1N1 flu vaccination in three clinics held Nov. 18, 19, and 20, and a clinic for faculty and staff is scheduled Monday Nov. 23. If flu vaccine is still available, the university will make arrangements to provide the vaccine. The health center asks people to call 674-6276 beginning Tuesday, Nov. 24 to schedule an appointment.

There is a difference between H1N1 vaccinations and vaccinations preventing the seasonal flu. Both illnesses are similar in that and they both include fever, body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, runny/stuffy nose, chills, fatigue, and possibly diarrhea and/or vomiting. The two flus are different in who they effect. The “Swine Flu” has a stronger and deadlier impact on those with weak immune systems, like children and senior citizens. The seasonal flu has no specific age target and has a lower mortality rate.