Parents will be informed a week ahead of H1N1 vaccinations for students

Jean Cole

Nov. 4, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Due to the short supply of H1N1 flu vaccine, official are uncertain when immunizations will be available for students in Athens and Limestone County.

"Hopefully this year, but we haven't set new dates," said Candece Adkins, who represents the Alabama Department of Public Health in Limestone and six other Alabama counties.

Once the vaccine is available here, parents of school-age children will be notified a few days to a week before immunizations begin, Adkins said. They will receive a consent form to sign if they want their child to receive the optional vaccine, she said.

Officials had initially hoped to immunize students the last week in October or the first week in November.

However, a nationwide shortage of the vaccine has delayed that plan and forced health officials to use what is available for those most at risk of contacting or spreading the flu, according to the Health Department. Those at risk include:

--Those who are pregnant

--Children between ages 6 months and 4 years

--Parents, caregivers and siblings of children under 6 months

--Children and adolescent ages 5 through 18 with underlying medical conditions

--Health care workers

"We must target our limited amounts of vaccine to individuals at the highest risk because of the uncertainties in supply we face," said Dr. Donald Williamson, state health officer. "We ask for your support and understanding at this time. As more vaccine becomes available, our department and other health care providers will begin vaccinating school children and others outside of these target groups."

If you are at risk, call the toll-free flu hotline at 1-877-377-7285 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays to find out where you can be vaccinated.

After more than two months, H1N1 flu remains widespread in Alabama.

"It has been that way for 10 or 11 weeks," Adkins said.

Flu symptoms include a fever of 100 degree Fahrenheit or more. Other symptoms may include dry cough, sore throat, headache, extreme fatigue, a runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches, according to the Health Department.

Battle preparations

Until the vaccine is available to students and others in Athens and Limestone County, they should take the following steps to fight it:

--Wash hands frequently

--Cover your coughs and sneezes

--Stay home with fever of 100 degrees or more and don't return until fever free -- without taking fever-reducing medicines -- for 24 hours

--Stockpile supplies

--Clean and disinfect at work and home

--Know your office emergency plan

--Learn home care by going online to http://www.adph.org/

--Call doctor if symptoms worsen

--Stay informed

What does worse mean?

Call your doctor immediately if symptoms worsen.

Worsening symptoms for children include:

--Fast breathing or trouble breathing

--Bluish or gray skin color

--Not drinking enough fluids

--Extreme irritability

--Severe or persistent vomiting

--Not waking up or interacting

--Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Worsening symptoms for adults include:

--Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

--Sudden dizziness

--Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

--Confusion

--Severe or persistent vomiting

--Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Newstex ID: KRTB-0378-39445881