I've overheard a lot of conversations related to the H1N1 flu in the last week - it seems to come up everywhere.
Efforts to counter and manage potential pandemic situations are spearheaded at the county level, with support and participation from any agencies or governing bodies with a role to play in the process. The City of West Des Moines is one of those entities. In addition to partnering with the county public health departments in their planning and preparation efforts, we are continually working to improve our organization's internal pandemic flu plan in the event we need it.
In response to demand for information on H1N1, Polk County released a letter to the community last month. Here are some excerpts from that letter:
"Everyone is hungry for concrete answers regarding the H1N1 influenza A pandemic and what the Polk County response will be this Fall... We anticipate the spread to continue through the Fall and Winter at a greater rate although we have no way of knowing what the real rate of the spread will be."
"the populations at highest risk for more severe illness and complications are:
1) pregnant women
2) newborn infants under 6 months of age - because they can't receive the vaccine, (their parents and caregivers will need protection)
3) infants, children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years of age
4) health care workers and emergency service personnel - because they have the a high risk for exposure
5) people 24 - 64 years of age with underlying health conditions. Adults 65 years of age and older have had minimal impact from this virus."
"The H1N1 vaccine should be available (in limited supplies) in mid to late October. We also know all of us have a role to play in keeping our community and each other safe. Each of us can effectively reduce the spread of the illness by staying home when we are sick with flu like symptoms and use good hygiene etiquette (cough and sneeze in a tissue or your sleeve and frequently wash your hands). We also know that antiviral taken in the first 48 hours of symptoms could help minimize the severity and length of illness. We also know that seasonal flu will also be spreading during Fall and Winter months and that seasonal flu and pneumonia vaccinations are readily available in our community."
"Just like you, we do not have all the information we need to fully develop our plans. What we are doing is preparing with school districts, colleges, hospitals, emergency service personnel, private businesses and hundreds of other partners in the community. We are planning a menu of multiple strategies for vaccine distribution on which to draw from once we have stable information and when we know how much and when vaccine will be received. We have 48 staff members who are all working very diligently and intensely in developing plans for each of these concept strategies."
"The vaccine distribution strategies in Polk County will be a blended program for the at-risk populations and they will be built upon the premise that targeted people should receive the vaccine as quickly as it becomes available. The possible venues being planned are mass clinics, school-based clinics, school and community rounds (nurses provide on-site vaccinations at licensed child care facilities, pre-schools, and other places), and pushing vaccine out through select health care providers who work with the target populations and can provide the vaccine directly to these people."
Among other things, you can get updated H1N1 information by:
As the Polk County letter mentions, we can all effectively play a role in reducing the spread of H1N1. We've advised our employees to follow their recommendations as it relates to attendance at work when flu-like symptoms are present and practicing proper hygiene.
Also, continue your usual habits to stay informed. County health departments will release information about the vaccine when it's available, including who is eligible to receive it as it is rolled out.
