H1N1 FLU VACCINE

The H1N1 flu is a serious disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that between mid-April and November 14, 2009, 47 million people in the United States were infected with the 2009 H1N1 flu, more than 200,000 people were hospitalized, and over 9,800 people died.

Influenza is unpredictable and we do not know the likelihood of a future wave of H1N1 flu, but we do know that vaccination is the most important step in protecting against influenza. Protect yourself, your family and your community by getting vaccinated. Visit www.flu.gov to find the closest vaccination clinic and learn more facts about the H1N1 flu. Show your love to your family and our community by keeping yourself and those close to you healthy; get yourself and your family vaccinated. The vaccine is now available at most CVS Pharmacies, Safeway stores, some Target Pharmacies, County Health Departments and some of your Physician’s offices. There is no longer an age or chronic illness requirement. EVERYONE can now get the vaccine!

What is the cost of the H1N1 Vaccine? The federal government has purchased the H1N1 vaccine and is providing it free of charge, however, private providers can require a small fee for administering the vaccine – this seems to be running between 15 and 35 dollars in our area.

What have you been hearing about
Swine Flu?

Education
neutralizes
Panic !

When disaster strikes, whether in the form of tornadoes or pandemic flu, everyone asks, “Why didn’t someone warn me?” or “What should we do? What should we do!” The recent deaths from swine flu in Mexico have some people already asking these questions, while others continue to say, “It’s not happening here; I’m not going to panic.”

There’s no need to panic; there is every reason to prepare!

The Disaster Response Team of National Capital Presbytery encourages you to consider how well prepared your congregation is to respond to a disaster. There are two events being offered this weekend designed to help clergy and congregations become better prepared in a disaster. While these events are not specifically designed around flu epidemics or pandemics, the organizers are working to bring in someone who can update us all on the current situation. Details on these events are on the next page. These events help raise the questions we need to be asking (and provide some answers as well!) to be sure that we can respond in a disaster to minimize the pain and suffering of our communities.

The following are several websites where you can find more information on Swine Flu and Pandemic Flu: what it is; where it is; how to minimize your chances of getting it; what your congregation can to do lessen the difficulties should a widespread flu outbreak occur.

Websites to monitor:

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Swine Flu Page (www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/home/home.shtml

Centers for Disease Control Swine Flu Page (www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

CDC, Emergency Preparedness and Response Twitter feed, CDC Emergency (http://twitter.com/CDCemergency)

General Swine Flu Information

Swine Flu Key Facts( http://www.cdc.gov/swineful/key_facts.htm): Provides facts about Swine Influenza.

Swine Flu and You (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu_you.htm):
Provides answers to questions about Swine Influenza.

Swine Flu Video Podcast (http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11226): In this video, Dr. Joe Bresee, with the CDC Influenza Division, describes swine flu – its signs and symptoms, how it’s transmitted, medicines to treat it, steps people can take to protect themselves from it, and what people should do if they become ill.

All you have to do is wash your hands Podcast (http:www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11072):  This Podcast teaches children how and when to wash their hands properly.

Swine flu RSS feed (http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/rss/) Receive automatic updates on Swine Flu from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention right on your desktop or browser.

INFLUENZA: Pigs, People and Public Health (http://www.pork.org/PorkScience/Documents/PUBLICHEALTH influenza.pdf : Public Health Fact Sheet from National Pork Board.

Flu Information for Children/Parents & Child Care Providers

CDC Free Flu Materials: (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery/index.htm) This year’s seasonal flu materials are free for download—no printed versions are available. They may be printed on a standard office printer, or you may use a commercial printer. Emphasis remains on outreach to high-risk groups, as well as parents of all children, health care workers, and people in the workplace.

Questions and Answers: Information for Schools: (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/qa.htm) Printable version of answers to questions commonly asked by school administrators, teachers, staff, and parents.

Protecting Against the Flu: Advice for Caregivers of Children Less Than 6 Months Old: (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/infantcare.htm
Research has shown that children less than 5 years of age are at high risk of serious flu-related complications.

PANDEMIC FLU WEBSITES

NATIONAL

General Information: www.pandemicflu.gov/general

Where you live: www.pandemicflu.gov (scroll down to “where you live”)

Red Cross www.redcross.org/news/ds/panflu

CDC www.cdc.gov/flu

HHS www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan

Making a Plan www.makeaplan.org

MARYLAND

State: www.flu/maryland.gov
Montgomery County www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pandemicflu

VIRGINIA

State: www.vdh.virginia.gov/pandemicflu
Alexandria City www.alexandriacity.gov
Arlington County www.arlingtonva.us
Fairfax County www.fairfaxcounty.gov/emergency/pandemicflu
Loudoun County www.loudouncounty.gov (click on public safety)

WASHINGTON, DC

HHS www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan
OPM www.opm.gov/pandemic

Presbyterian Church

National www.pcusa.org
Presbytery www.thepresbytery.org