5th Lee County swine flu death occurs
Fact Box
Charlotte County Health Department has scheduled its first public H1N1 swine) flu vaccination clinic for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Charlotte Events Center in Punta Gorda.
The H1N1 nasal-spray, known as Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine or LAIV will be used at this clinic. This nasal spray is available for all healthy persons from age 2 through 49 years of age, who are not pregnant. Additionally, injectable vaccine will be available for pregnant women, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel who work with individuals who are severely immunocompromised, and persons ages 6 to 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza
There will be a strict, individualized screening process to determine the appropriate vaccine for each person, and clients are encouraged visit our website and review the H1N1 vaccine information sheets, and print their completed H1N1 consent form in order to expedite their clinic visit.
Visit our website, www.CharlotteCHD.com to view clinic schedules, sign up for H1N1 vaccine clinic email updates, or you can call Charlotte211 and be connected to our local H1N1 vaccine clinic information hotline.
FORT MYERS - The Lee County Health Department reported the fifth H1N1 swine flu-related death Wednesday: an 11 year old female with pre-existing conditions.
"We offer our sincere condolences to this child's family and friends for their loss" said Dr. Judith A. Hartner, director of the Lee County Health Department.
"While most cases of H1N1 swine flu are mild, there are exceptions. This is why the Lee County Health Department urges our community to get vaccinations against H1N1, a virus to which we have no immunity."
Even young, healthy people can suffer serious consequences when infected. As of Oct. 31, 149 swine flu deaths have been reported in Florida.
To combat the spread of H1N1, the Lee County Health Department has been offering vaccine to CDC priority groups in an effort to keep families healthy. These vaccinations are being held at area high schools through Nov. 21.
Find clinic information at www.LeeCHD.com. Verify the date and time before going as the schedule is subject to change based on availability of vaccine.
For more information on influenza activity there are a number of resources available such as the Florida Department of Health toll-free number which provides public health information and updates on H1N1 Swine flu. The information line is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT, seven days a week. Information is available in English, Spanish and Creole. The Florida Flu Information Line is (877) 352-3581.
Helpful Web sites include:
Lee County Health Department, www.LeeCHD.com
Florida Department of Health, http://www.doh.state.fl.us/DEMO/php/FluInfo.htm
My Safe Florida, www.myflusafety.com
The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
The World Health Organization, (WHO), http://www.who.int/en/
Flu.gov, http://www.flu.gov/
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