Swine flu vaccines coming Wednesday

The Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District will administer free H1N1 “swine flu” nasal mist vaccines to eligible healthy individuals at two locations Wednesday.

Dr. R. Dana Bradshaw, RRHD director, said the vaccine will be distributed to healthy people between the ages of 2 and 24 as well as healthy people ages 24 to 49 who live in a residence with infants up to six months old.

The H1N1 nasal vaccine will be available at these locations on Wednesday only:

» Liberty High School in Bealeton from 8 a.m. to noon.

» Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper from 3 to 7 p.m.

The H1N1 nasal vaccine is not suitable for everyone, according to Bradshaw. Instead, people in the below categories should receive the H1N1 shot:

» Children between six months and 2 years old

» Adults over 50

» Pregnant women

» Anyone with a weakened immune system or long-term health problem such as: heart disease, kidney or liver disease, lung disease, metabolic disease such as diabetes, asthma, anemia or other blood disorders

» Children younger than 5 with asthma or episodes of wheezing during the past year

» Anyone with certain muscle or nerve disorders (such as cerebral palsy) that can lead to breathing or swallowing issues

» Anyone in close contact with people with a severely weakened immune system (requiring care in a protected environment, such as a bone marrow transplant unit)

» Children or adolescents on long-term aspirin treatment.

“Since the injectable vaccine production has been delayed, high-risk groups unable to receive the mist should ask their primary health care provider or call the local health department to determine availability,” Bradshaw said.

At-risk patients include but are not limited to: people with asthma, arthritis, lupus, diabetes, cancer, HIV-AIDS and heart or kidney disease, according to the flu.gov Web site.

Seasonal flu vaccines
In addition, seasonal flu vaccines for ages 4 and older will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at these locations across the five-county region:

-Rappahannock Health Department, 491 Main St., Washington, Va., Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m.

-Culpeper Health Department, 640 Laurel St., Culpeper, Friday from 1 to 3 p.m.

-Fauquier Health Department, 330 Hospital Drive, Warrenton, Nov. 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m.

-Orange Health Department, 450 N. Madison Road, Orange, Nov. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m.

-Madison Health Department, 410 N. Main St., Madison, Nov. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that certain people should get the seasonal flu vaccine every year:

» Children between the ages of 6 months and 19 years

» Pregnant women

» People 50 and older

» Anyone with certain chronic medical conditions

» People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

» People who live with or care for those at high risk for flu complications, such as health care and child care workers.

Symptoms, prevention
Bradshaw said symptoms are similar between the H1N1 “swine flu” and seasonal flu. Both include fever, cough and sore throat, headache, chills, fatigue and body aches.

People suffering from H1N1 are contagious up to seven days after the onset of illness and possibly longer, Bradshaw warned. He advises anyone with these symptoms to protect themselves and others by:

» Staying home from work or school and limiting contact with the general public

» Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue in the trash

» Washing hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing; alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective

» Limiting close contact with sick people

» Preventing the spread of germs by not touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Swine flu vaccinations
Two H1N1 “swine flu” clinics, sponsored by the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District, are Wednesday at:

» Liberty High School in Bealeton from 8 a.m. to noon.

» Germanna Community College’s Daniel Technology Center in Culpeper from 3 to 7 p.m.

Seasonal flu vaccinations
» Rappahannock Health Department, 491 Main St., Washington, Va., Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. Call 675-3516

» Culpeper Health Department, 640 Laurel St., Culpeper, Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. Call 829-7350

» Fauquier Health Department, 330 Hospital Drive, Warrenton, Nov. 17 from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Call 347-6400

» Orange Health Department, 450 N. Madison Road, Orange, Nov. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. Call 672-1291

» Madison Health Department, 410 N. Main St., Madison, Nov. 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. Call 948-5481

Source: Virginia Department of Health