The Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC) is now offering the H1N1 (Swine Flu) and Seasonal Flu vaccine to anyone who requests it at the Flu Clinic and community based clinics. There has been increasing vaccine supply available to all health care facilities, and we are now able to offer H1N1 vaccine to anyone age 6 months to 64 years, and seasonal flu vaccine to anyone older than 6 months of age.
Dr. Diana Hu, Pediatrician and Immunization Coordinator at TCRHCC said, “Everyone under 65 years of age is at risk for getting sick from the H1N1 flu, so they should be immunized this season to prevent illness and transmission to others.”
TCRHCC staff would like to stress that people should still be vaccinated this season, even if they think they had the H1N1 flu this summer or fall. This is especially important for persons in the high priority groups below:
- Pregnant Women
- Health care and emergency medical personnel
- People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months
- Anyone from 6 months to 24 years of age, and
- Anyone from 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at high risk for influenza.
- Persons in these groups are at higher risk for complications of H1N1 (“swine”) flu if they get sick.
“With the seasonal flu, elders are at higher risk of complications, so they should definitely be vaccinated against seasonal flu, even if they are not eligible for the H1N1 flu vaccine,” Dr Hu said.
There are two types of vaccine that will protect people from the 2009 H1N1 flu. The nasal spray vaccine, called “LAIV” (Live Attenuated Influenza Virus Vaccine), is recommended for persons 2 years to 50 years of age who have no chronic medical problems, no recent history of wheezing, and are not pregnant. Dr.Hu said, “This vaccine involves no needles, and may give immunity and protection against the 2009 H1N1 flu sooner than the injectable (“shot”) vaccine we have. We hope most patients will agree to use this vaccine for those reasons.” There are also the injectable vaccines for those who prefer the injection.
All children under 10 years of age will need two 2009 H1N1 flu vaccines at least 4 weeks apart to make sure they get a good immune response to the vaccine. Adults only need one vaccine.
Dr. Hu is asking parents to get their children immunized, as not only will it protect that individual child, but also will help protect others in the community as it will decrease the spread of H1N1 illness in schools and homes.
Community Clinics are currently scheduled as follows:
January 7, 2009
Le Chee Chapter House
1:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
January 12, 2009
Tuba City High School Cafeteria
1:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
The TCHRCC Flu Vaccine Clinic is located at Medication Refill Pharmacy trailer, on the east side of the main hospital, open from 8:30 AM-12:00 PM and 1:00 PM-4:00 PM, Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays and weekends. You do not need an appointment to receive your flu shots at this clinic.
TCRHCC would like to remind the public to continue basic prevention methods that help keep flu and other contagious diseases from spreading:
- Practice good hand-washing hygiene. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Get your seasonal flu shot and your H1N1 flu shot now .
- Cover your coughs and sneezes.
- Stay home if you are sick. Keep sick children at home.
For updates and information, check on-line at tchealth.org or call the Flu Clinic at (928) 283-1439 for the latest information.
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