Health District to hold H1N1 clinics at two public health centers,

Saturday, Nov. 7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 4, 2009

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District has scheduled two 2009 H1N1 immunization clinics to be held between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 7 at its main location, 625 Shadow Lane, and its Henderson public health center, 520 E. Lake Mead Parkway. Injectable and inhaled vaccines will be available to members of the CDC-recommended priority groups most at risk for severe illness or complications. The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine is free of charge.

The health district will provide immunizations to the CDC priority groups eligible to receive them at this time:

• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact
• Children and young adults between the ages 6 months and 24 years old
• Children through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions

In order to be able to provide immunizations to members of the priority groups, injectable vaccine will only be offered to clients who cannot use the inhaled vaccine, especially pregnant women and children who have chronic medical conditions. Individuals who are eligible to receive the inhaled vaccine will only be offered FluMist.

The health district will continue to offer only the inhaled immunization at its weekday clinic at the 625 Shadow Lane location between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Scheduled clinics for additional members of the priority groups are being planned but are contingent on the delivery of the vaccine. Orders are placed by the Nevada State Health Division and deliveries are anticipated on a weekly basis.

“We anticipate there will be a high demand for the injectable vaccine at this weekend’s clinics and so we are again urging those in the priority groups who can take the intransal vaccine to do so. This will help to ensure we have enough injectable vaccine to meet the needs of those in the high risk group unable to receive FluMist, including pregnant women and very young children.” said Dr. Lawrence Sands, chief health officer. “I would like to remind Southern Nevadans that the inhaled vaccine is an excellent immunization and we have seen more people in our clinic who are opting for it.”

As of Oct. 29, the health district has received approximately 69,600 doses of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine and it has administered more than 28,000 doses, 15,200 of which were the inhaled vaccine. The health district is anticipating additional shipments of injectable vaccine and will announce additional clinic dates once receipt of the vaccine is confirmed. There are local health care providers who also have vaccine available and people in the priority groups are encouraged to check with their physicians.

Currently, the inhaled vaccine is being offered by the health district to members of the priority groups who are between the ages of two and 24, health care workers and EMTs with direct patient contact as well as parents and caregivers of infants younger than six months old. The inhaled vaccine is recommended for healthy people who are not pregnant and are younger than 50.

The Southern Nevada Health District continues to monitor for the seasonal and novel 2009 H1N1 influenza strains. Local and national surveillance has found that nearly all reported cases of influenza are the 2009 H1N1 strain. To date, there have been more than 1,900 laboratory-confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza cases in Clark County; however, the number of reported cases represents a small percentage of residents who have been infected with H1N1 as most do not seek medical care. The health district recently reported that the severity of the H1N1 influenza strain in Southern Nevada has not increased and remains consistent since the virus was identified in the spring.

Until adequate immunization rates for H1N1 are achieved, the best way to prevent influenza is to practice good health habits. This influenza season, there are two different immunizations available to protect against illness: the new 2009 novel H1N1 vaccine as well as the seasonal flu vaccine.

For additional information visit www.SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict.org or www.snhd.info or call the Nevada Helpline, (702) 759-4636 (INFO).

Visit the Media Contacts webpage for media related inquiries.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.