November 2009 Health News and Events
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
Common Sense Approach to Flu Prevention
The unseasonably early snowfall (too early!) that descended on us in recent days reminds us that winter is on its way and with it, the peak of flu season. Hopefully you took advantage of the seasonal flu shots that were available as most providers no longer have the vaccine. They “went like hot cakes” as the saying goes! We are hopeful that in the coming weeks, that providers and Health Departments will receive its state-allocated stock of vaccine for the H1N1 flu. We understand your frustration and ask for your patience (please don’t yell at us) as we follow state and federal guidelines and offer the H1N1 vaccine to those individuals currently considered “high priority groups”.
To date, New England has been largely spared by high numbers of H1N1 cases that have been recorded in other parts of the country. The CT Department of Public Health's weekly "flu watch" update showed 35 laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases in Connecticut between August 30 and October 14, 2009. (There were 1,996 cases in the first wave of H1N1 from April to August 29.) The seasonal flu season typically peaking around Christmas, so we shouldn’t be surprised to see the rate of H1N1 influenza increase as we move deeper into the fall.
So what is Influenza-like illness (ILI)? Symptoms of flu (seasonal or H1N1) are fever greater than 100 degrees AND sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache, body ache, or fatigue.
Since early September, our schools have monitoring rates of influenza like illness (ILI). Why monitor? The goal of monitoring (or surveillance) is to identify illness early, limit (or mitigate as we in public health like to say) exposure to others, and to know when there is a true increase of illness in our community.
It’s also important to note that ONLY those with severe illness who are hospitalized will be tested for the H1N1. Why limit testing? Because we know H1N1 is here, its community acquired. Testing of the severely ill allows medical providers to make correct treatment decisions and reduces the overloading of labs with testing of less severe patients.
Our current emphasis remains on PREVENTION. As you know, removing yourself from work/school if ill, isolating yourself from others and practicing good hygiene are the most effective means to reduce the spread of the H1N1 virus. We continue to work closely with the school systems, our medical partners, and CT DPH to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best next steps.
As a reminder:
If you or a member of your household are at home recovering from flu-like symptoms, please cover your cough, wash your hands frequently, rest, drink plenty of water, and seek medical attention if your have ANY difficulty breathing.
As recommendations and vaccine availability are frequently being revised, residents are advised to visit the Town of Wallingford website, www.town.wallingford.ct.us, for updated information on vaccine availability and the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/flu for self-care, treatment and the status of national efforts to address the spread of H1N1.
The Wallingford Health Department will continue to update you as new developments occur. As we advance through the winter months, I urge everyone to employ common sense and take appropriate precautions. By working together and acting responsibly, we can help limit the spread of H1N1 and ensure that everyone has a healthy and productive fall/winter.
Eloise Hazelwood, MPH
Wallingford Director of Health
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
More Vaccine Arrives in Meriden to Fight H1N1 Flu
The Meriden Health Department has received their first shipment of the injectable form of the H1N1 vaccine and will be offering it and the nasal spray vaccine starting Monday, October 26th.
Due to the initial limited supply of vaccine, the injectable form of the vaccine will be given to the following priority-target groups:
Ø Pregnant women
Ø All children ages 6 months through 4 years of age
Ø Caregivers and household contacts of infants less than 6 months of age
Ø Children between the ages of 5 and 18 who have high-risk medical conditions
The nasal spray version of the vaccine contains a live, weakened influenza virus and is available to:
Ø Healthy individuals 2 to 6 years of age
Ø Healthy caregivers and household contacts of infants less than 6 months of age and who are not pregnant
All children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the vaccine scheduled 4 weeks apart. The H1N1 vaccine is only effective against the H1N1 virus and does not protect against seasonal influenza. Residents are encouraged to get their seasonal flu shot, as well as the H1N1 vaccination as it becomes available for them.
The H1N1 vaccine is offered at no cost to Meriden residents. Vaccines are given Monday through Friday from 9:00-4:00pm at the Meriden Health Department, 165 Miller Street. Please contact the Clinic office at 630-4234 with any questions. Residents can also call the new H1N1 influenza hotline operated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health at 1-800-830-9426 or view information on the Meriden Health Department's website, www.meridenhealth.com .
Meriden Health Department – Keeping You Healthy In November
Coffee and Conversation
Join us for Coffee and Conversation on Monday, November 23, 2009 from 1:00-2:30pm at the Meriden Senior Center. This month’s topic will be Spirituality & Wellness, presented by Donna Cassity MDIV,BS, RN, from VNA Health Care.
Coffee and refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. Coffee and Conversation programs are jointly sponsored by the Center for Successful Aging and MidState’s LaPlanche Clinic. They are held once a month at the Senior Center. Call 630-4222 for more information.
Total Cholesterol Screenings
The Meriden Health Department will be holding a total cholesterol screening on November 19 from 9:30-11:30am. The screening will be held at 165 Miller Street and is free to Meriden residents over 18. Call the Clinic office at 630-4234 to make your appointment.
Community Presentation: De-Stressing Over the Holidays
The holidays are coming, and that usually means our scheduled gets filled with parties, family obligations, weekend visitors, and shopping for gifts. On November 16, from 6-7pm at the Meriden Public Library (105 Miller Street) learn how to manage stressful situations before the stress starts! We’ll review ways to keep stress levels low over the holidays and relax with a deep breathing exercise. Attend and get a free “stress man” stress ball. Healthy snacks will be served. Please call the Community Health Education office at 630-4238 to RSVP.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
Common Sense Approach to Flu Prevention
The unseasonably early snowfall (too early!) that descended on us in recent days reminds us that winter is on its way and with it, the peak of flu season. Hopefully you took advantage of the seasonal flu shots that were available as most providers no longer have the vaccine. They “went like hot cakes” as the saying goes! We are hopeful that in the coming weeks, that providers and Health Departments will receive its state-allocated stock of vaccine for the H1N1 flu. We understand your frustration and ask for your patience (please don’t yell at us) as we follow state and federal guidelines and offer the H1N1 vaccine to those individuals currently considered “high priority groups”.
To date, New England has been largely spared by high numbers of H1N1 cases that have been recorded in other parts of the country. The CT Department of Public Health's weekly "flu watch" update showed 35 laboratory-confirmed H1N1 cases in Connecticut between August 30 and October 14, 2009. (There were 1,996 cases in the first wave of H1N1 from April to August 29.) The seasonal flu season typically peaking around Christmas, so we shouldn’t be surprised to see the rate of H1N1 influenza increase as we move deeper into the fall.
So what is Influenza-like illness (ILI)? Symptoms of flu (seasonal or H1N1) are fever greater than 100 degrees AND sore throat, cough, stuffy nose, chills, headache, body ache, or fatigue.
Since early September, our schools have monitoring rates of influenza like illness (ILI). Why monitor? The goal of monitoring (or surveillance) is to identify illness early, limit (or mitigate as we in public health like to say) exposure to others, and to know when there is a true increase of illness in our community.
It’s also important to note that ONLY those with severe illness who are hospitalized will be tested for the H1N1. Why limit testing? Because we know H1N1 is here, its community acquired. Testing of the severely ill allows medical providers to make correct treatment decisions and reduces the overloading of labs with testing of less severe patients.
Our current emphasis remains on PREVENTION. As you know, removing yourself from work/school if ill, isolating yourself from others and practicing good hygiene are the most effective means to reduce the spread of the H1N1 virus. We continue to work closely with the school systems, our medical partners, and CT DPH to monitor flu conditions and make decisions about the best next steps.
As a reminder:
If you or a member of your household are at home recovering from flu-like symptoms, please cover your cough, wash your hands frequently, rest, drink plenty of water, and seek medical attention if your have ANY difficulty breathing.
As recommendations and vaccine availability are frequently being revised, residents are advised to visit the Town of Wallingford website, www.town.wallingford.ct.us, for updated information on vaccine availability and the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/flu for self-care, treatment and the status of national efforts to address the spread of H1N1.
The Wallingford Health Department will continue to update you as new developments occur. As we advance through the winter months, I urge everyone to employ common sense and take appropriate precautions. By working together and acting responsibly, we can help limit the spread of H1N1 and ensure that everyone has a healthy and productive fall/winter.
Eloise Hazelwood, MPH
Wallingford Director of Health
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
More Vaccine Arrives in Meriden to Fight H1N1 Flu
The Meriden Health Department has received their first shipment of the injectable form of the H1N1 vaccine and will be offering it and the nasal spray vaccine starting Monday, October 26th.
Due to the initial limited supply of vaccine, the injectable form of the vaccine will be given to the following priority-target groups:
Ø Pregnant women
Ø All children ages 6 months through 4 years of age
Ø Caregivers and household contacts of infants less than 6 months of age
Ø Children between the ages of 5 and 18 who have high-risk medical conditions
The nasal spray version of the vaccine contains a live, weakened influenza virus and is available to:
Ø Healthy individuals 2 to 6 years of age
Ø Healthy caregivers and household contacts of infants less than 6 months of age and who are not pregnant
All children under the age of 10 will need two doses of the vaccine scheduled 4 weeks apart. The H1N1 vaccine is only effective against the H1N1 virus and does not protect against seasonal influenza. Residents are encouraged to get their seasonal flu shot, as well as the H1N1 vaccination as it becomes available for them.
The H1N1 vaccine is offered at no cost to Meriden residents. Vaccines are given Monday through Friday from 9:00-4:00pm at the Meriden Health Department, 165 Miller Street. Please contact the Clinic office at 630-4234 with any questions. Residents can also call the new H1N1 influenza hotline operated by the Connecticut Department of Public Health at 1-800-830-9426 or view information on the Meriden Health Department's website, www.meridenhealth.com .
Meriden Health Department – Keeping You Healthy In November
Coffee and Conversation
Join us for Coffee and Conversation on Monday, November 23, 2009 from 1:00-2:30pm at the Meriden Senior Center. This month’s topic will be Spirituality & Wellness, presented by Donna Cassity MDIV,BS, RN, from VNA Health Care.
Coffee and refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to the public. Coffee and Conversation programs are jointly sponsored by the Center for Successful Aging and MidState’s LaPlanche Clinic. They are held once a month at the Senior Center. Call 630-4222 for more information.
Total Cholesterol Screenings
The Meriden Health Department will be holding a total cholesterol screening on November 19 from 9:30-11:30am. The screening will be held at 165 Miller Street and is free to Meriden residents over 18. Call the Clinic office at 630-4234 to make your appointment.
Community Presentation: De-Stressing Over the Holidays
The holidays are coming, and that usually means our scheduled gets filled with parties, family obligations, weekend visitors, and shopping for gifts. On November 16, from 6-7pm at the Meriden Public Library (105 Miller Street) learn how to manage stressful situations before the stress starts! We’ll review ways to keep stress levels low over the holidays and relax with a deep breathing exercise. Attend and get a free “stress man” stress ball. Healthy snacks will be served. Please call the Community Health Education office at 630-4238 to RSVP.
To read The People’s Press, Meriden and Wallingford Ct’s Newspaper in image or pdf form go to www.peoplespressnews.com . We are your NewsMagazine!
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