SWPHD delivers nearly 2,000 H1N1 doses

Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette

As of Oct. 31, there were a total of 1,940 doses of H1N1 vaccine distributed by Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department and 1209 doses or 62.3 percent have been administered. Eighteen healthcare providers are vaccinating residents in Southwest Nebraska.

Chad Arasmith of McCook and his two-year-old son, Kael, receive vaccinations -- a shot and a nasal spray -- from Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department nurse Kelli Pachner R.N., protecting them against H1N1 influenza. Myra Stoney, director of SWPHD, which hosted the early-morning vaccination clinic this morning, said that 110 vaccinations -- 45 shots and 65 nasal sprays -- were given during the two-hour clinic. H1N1 flu vaccinations target pregnant women, those living or working with children less than six months of age, healthcare and emergency response personnel, persons six months old to 24 years, and those from 25 to 64 years of age with chronic diseases such as asthma or diabetes, or diseases of the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, nerves or blood.

Mass immunization clinics have been done in several locations across the health district. Perkins County schools, Hitchcock County schools, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, Cambridge Schools, Arapahoe Schools and the McCook community have all had a mass immunization. Mass immunizations are advertised locally and more will be held weekly until Thanksgiving.

"The mass immunization clinics are being advertised locally. Check within your community to get the location and time." said Heidi Wheeler, Emergency Response Coordinator with Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department.

"We continue to receive Iimited amounts of H1N1 vaccine and supplies and will continue to distribute these to the medical providers as quickly as possible," she said.

The CDC priority groups targeted for the H1N1 vaccine at this time include:

* Pregnant women

* Caregivers of children less than 6 months of age

* Persons aged 6 months to 24 years of age

* Healthcare and Emergency Services personnel

* Persons aged 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza related complications

More information on H1N1 may be obtained at www.swhealthdept.com , www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ or www.hhs.state.ne.us/H1N1Flu/ or by calling Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department at (308) 345-4223 or (308) 882-4269.

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department serves Chase, Dundy, Hayes, Hitchcock, Frontier, Furnas, Perkins and Red Willow counties.