H1N1 (aka Swine Flu)

 NEW: THE H1N1 VACCINE IS AVAILABLE TO ALL AGES AND TO ANYONE THAT WANTS PROTECTION FROM THE H1N1 VIRUS EFFECTIVE 12-14-09!!!!!! Talking points

Dallas County Public Health will have several H1N1clinics by appointment in February 2010. Please see flyer for dates and information on scheduling an appointment. The H1N1 vaccine is given FREE of charge from Dallas County Public Health Nursing Service.

Please click for a list of other providers of the H1N1 vaccine in Dallas County.

Like seasonal influenza H1N1 influenza is very contagious and can make you very ill. No one has an immunity unless they have been diagnosed this season by a confirmed lab test as having the disease this year. The H1N1 vaccine is currently available in Dallas County to anyone wanting protection from the virus. Please call our office for an appointment or see the list of pharmacies and medical providers in Dallas County that has the vaccine available. 

H1N1 can spread when an infected person coughs and sneezes and spreads germs through the air or onto surfaces that other people may touch.  H1N1 virus is not transmitted by eating pork products.  The information below will help you learn how to avoid getting sick and how to prevent any further spread of the disease.

The public can call this hotline number for questions regarding the H1N1 Influenza: 1-800-447-1985.

To view a list of public H1N1 vaccination sites and clinics, please watch our calendar or contact the pharmacies or medical offices below. The vaccine is produced the same as the seasonal influenza and follows the same safety standards. For copies of the consent form and the Vaccine Information sheet for each presentation, please click below:

• H1N1 Inactivated vaccine information sheet (10-8-09)
• H1N1 Mist vaccine information sheet (10-8-09)
• H1N1 vaccine consent form (can bring completed to a clinic)

H1N1 Vaccine Clinics

• Click here to view a list of the H1N1 clinics in February 2010.
• List of H1N1 Vaccine providers (both medical clinics and pharmacies) in Dallas County NEW 12-04-09
• See the updated recommendations from the Iowa Dept of Public Health regarding the opening of the vaccine for all ages effective 12-14--09.

Credible and Useful Links on H1N1 (new 11-13-09)

• IA Dept of Public Health: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/
• Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/
• Polk County Health Dept: www.polkcountyiowa.gov/health/

Parents Information

• Parents Guide to Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Flu

Information on Antivirals for Uninsured or Underinsured

Are you or your loved one Uninsured or Underinsured? Some Dallas County Providers and Pharmacies are receiving courses of Antivirals for the uninsured and underinsured from the State of Iowa's antiviral stockpile. If your physician prescribes an antiviral to treat your influenza, you can contact Dallas County Public Health for a list of providers that will be carrying the Antivirals in the near future.

H1N1 Influenza Information from IDPH (Iowa Department of Public Health)

• FAQ's on H1N1 11-20-09
• H1N1 Fact Sheet for the General Public 
• H1N1 Caring for Someone Ill in your Home
• Recommendations for Mass Gatherings
• H1N1 Fact Sheet for the Workplace
• Iowa Human Cases of H1N1
• US human cases of H1N1
• World human cases of H1N1 infection (WHO)

Prevention Messages

• CDC Handwashing Instructions
• Handwashing Video
• What You Can Do to Stay Healthy for Schools, Childcare providers, communities,and workplaces
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection 

H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Information

• H1N1 Influenza Vaccine

H1N1 News Releases

• IDPH News Release about opening the H1N1 vaccine to all ages effective 12-14-09
• IDPH News Release about recent Iowa Deaths from H1N1 012110
• IDPH News Release about protecting Pets from H1N1 110509

 H1N1 Influenza Information from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control)

• What to Do If You Get Flu-Like Symptoms
• H1N1 Guidance for Colleges, Universities, and Post-secondary Educational Institutions
• H1N1 Guidance for Child Care Programs, Schools, Colleges, and Universities
• H1N1 Resources for Businesses
• H1N1 Guidance for Pregnant Women in Health Care Facilities
• H1N1 Guidance for Correctional and Detention Facilities
• H1N1 Guidance for Obstetric Settings

CDC Health Advisory's

• CDC Recommendations on how long persons with H1N1 symptoms should stay home from work, school, public gatherings.

From the FDA

• H1N1 Guidance for the Food Industry

Environmental Cleaning During Influenza Season

• Clean frequently touched surfaces with your normal cleaning and disinfecting agents (including soap and water). Follow the directions on the label.
• Specialized cleaning agents are not necessary.
• The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains a list of commercial disinfecting productws that are effective against influenza A viruses on hard non-porous surfaces; visit this link for a list.
• Do not spray (fog) rooms with disinfectant or air sanitizers. This is a potentially dangerous practice that has no proven disease control benefit.

From the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

• Influenza A/H1N1 Outbreak in the United States

Information for Medical Providers and Laboratory's (New Information 11-16-09)

• FAQ on H1N1 for Providers 12-04-09
• New Antiviral Recommendations 12-07-09
• Quick Points on H1N1 for Providers 12-01-09
• CDC guidance on Pneumococcal Vaccination to prevent secondary infections 11-16-09
• New guidance from CDC on antivirals for H1N1
• HomeCare Guidance for Physicians Direction care to Patient/Parents
• IDPH link to Health Care Provider information
• H1N1 Epi Chapter
• Recommendations for Priority Groups to admininster H1N1 vaccine to (New 10-14-09)
• Surgical Mask and Respirator Clarification
• Exclusion of Ill Health Care Providers
• H1N1 Fact Sheet for Providers to give to Patients that are being tested
• H1N1 General Guidance for Clinicians
• ACIP recommendations to accompany H1N1 vaccine consent form
• H1N1 vaccine preparations summary
• Sample H1N1 Vaccine Standing Orders
• Guidance for Clinicians on the use of Antivirals for Patients and Close Contacts
• Preparing for the 2009/2010 Influenza Season: Memo on Testing Algorithm and Requesting a test
• Lab Surveillance 2009/2010 UHL Influenza Algorithm
• Letter explaining the change in reporting only H1N1 related hospitalizations and deaths 082509
• Memorandum from Tom Newton, Director of IDPH on Temporary Mandatory reporting of H1N1 related hospitalizations and deaths 082509

Information for Hospitals and Infection Control Staff on H1N1

• Memo on H1N1 for Infection Control Staff

Information for Child Care Providers and Child Care Businesses (New 10-09-09)

• Recommendations for Child Care Providers
• Environmental Cleaning Guidance for Child Care Providers
• Sample Parent Letter
• Procedure on How to take a Temperature

Information for Schools

• Sample Letter for schools to send home with ill student with ILI symptoms
• Sample H1N1 Lesson Plan for Teachers to use *****New 110309***
• Iowa Department of Education Influenza Website 
• Fact Sheet for Schools
• Iowa School Absenteeism Report
•  Guidance for Schools for the Fall 2009 Flu Season
• Website for Influenza Prevention Buttons

H1N1 Health Alert Poster

Information for Businesses

• The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Safeguard Iowa Partnership (SIP) are working together to prepare for the 2009-2010 influenza season and have jointly identified and developed the following materials to assist Iowa businesses in their 2009-2010 influenza season planning:http://www.idph.state.ia.us/h1n1/theworkplace.asp
• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic
• Human Resource Policies and Pandemic Planning Workplace Questions