H1N1 Vaccine Information
H1N1 Information
For Community Health Center Patients
Seasonal Flu Vaccine
At this time we are out of both pediatric and adult seasonal flu vaccine. If or when we receive more vaccine we will update the website to reflect as such.
Patients and community members can also check the Vermont Department of Health website for local flu clinics. There are some organizations that have vaccine available and their clinic times and dates will be listed on this website. (They have some great resources and information about the flu here, too)
H1N1 Flu Vaccine
We are happy to offer this vaccine to current patients at CHCB. However, we are limited to providing vaccine to the following individuals only - as required by the CDC and the Vermont Department of Health:
1. If you are pregnant
2. If you are the parent, primary caregiver or sibling of a baby less than 6 moths old
3. If you are between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old
4. If you are a health care worker or emergency services worker who has direct contact with ill individuals
5. If you are between the ages of 25 and 64 with a chronic medical condition which may weaken your immune system.
Examples would be individuals undergoing Chemotherapy or radiation, taking immunosuppressant drugs, or those who have sever asthma
H1N1 Flu Vaccine (injection)
Age Available
6 months to 3 years Yes
3 years to 4 years Yes
4 years to 64 years Yes
H1N1 Flu Vaccine (nasal mist)
Available for ages 2 through 49 years old only.
Not for use in children less than 2 years old or any individual who has lung disease or any other chronic medical condition.
Read below how you can help protect you and your family from the flu with some simple steps.
What's Happening Now with H1NI ("swine flu")?
Many people are concerned about the novel H1N1 flu virus. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has determined that this new H1N1 virus is contagious and is spreading from person-to-person, probably like seasonal flu. The CDC tracks the flu's progress in the United States with a flu map; check out the affected areas .
What are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. A significant number of people also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
What if I Get the Flu?
Most people who have been sick with this virus in the U.S. have recovered at home without treatment. If you or your child has flu-like symptoms, please stay at home for seven days or 24 hours after symptoms resolve, unless given other instructions by your provider.
When Should I call the Doctor?
Like seasonal flu, complications can occur with novel H1N1 flu. Seek emergency medical care if you or your child becomes ill and experiences any of the following warning signs:
- Fast breathing
- Trouble breathing
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not urinating as much as usual
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or interacting as usual
- Child being so irritable that your child doesn't want to be held
- Fever returns after being absent for a day, or a significant change in fever pattern occurs. For example, it was 101 degrees F. for several days and now it is 103 degrees.
Again, seek emergency medical care if you or your child become ill and experiences any of these warning signs.
Can I Get Vaccinated for the H1N1 flu?
Patients with the greatest risk for H1N1 infection include:
- Children
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic health conditions like - asthma, diabetes, and heart and lung disease
It is important that you not be exposed to other people who are sick, and that if you have had flu-like illness that you do NOT expose other people, in order to keep from spreading the disease.
Can I Avoid the Flu?
There are some things that you can do to keep you and your child healthy:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve/arm, NOT YOUR HANDS. Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
- Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- If you or your child gets sick with a flu-like illness, stay home fro work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. This is how germs spread.
It is important that you and your family get vaccinated with the "seasonal" flu; you can check our website or speak with a scheduler to make an appointment.
If you want more information on novel H1N1 flu, please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
