When and where can I get the H1N1 vaccination?
Kendall County Health Department does not currently have any H1N1 vaccnation clinics scheduled. The vaccine can be obtained during one of our regular immunization clinics. Adults (18 or over) can come to a walk-in clinic on Monday afternoons from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. Chidren (17 and under requiring parent/gaurdian) can recieve boosters or initial doses during one of our appointment children's immunization clinics. Clinic times vary- call (630) 553-9100 to schedule an appointment.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also has a web-based clinic locator. Find any retail pharmacy or private provider with the vaccine by going to www.ready.illinois.gov TOP
Do I need to be a resident of Kendall County to attend a clinic?
Each Local Health Department carefully accounted for their high risk populations when placing vaccine orders. Therefore, it is preferred that you go to the health department in the county where you live. However, H1N1 vaccine is considered a federal asset and for individuals within the CDC priority groups, there should be no access barriers to vaccination. Given this fact, out of county residents in the CDC priority groups will not be turned away. TOP
What kind of vaccine are you dispensing?
The Health Department is only dispensing a flu shot. We have not requested any of the nasal spray vaccine. We have requested preservative free pre-filled syringes for both children and adults. Our current supply of vaccine is not preservative free. This was available first. Additional shipments of vaccine are expected soon and regularly until we receive the entire quantity requested. TOP
How many doses of the vaccine are required?
Children 9 and under will require two doses of the H1N1 vaccine. The second booster dose is recommended 4 weeks (not less than 21 days) after the first. Children over ten and adults only need one dose. We ask that you come prepared with the exact date of the initial dose. TOP
Who will administer the vaccine?
Kendall County Health Department will be using only licensed nurses to administer the vaccine. TOP
What is the cost of the vaccine?
The Health Department is providing the vaccine at no charge. TOP
Is the H1N1 vaccine safe?
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) expects the H1N1 vaccine to have a similar safety profile as seasonal flu vaccines, which have a good safety track record. Over the years, hundreds of millions of Americans have received seasonal flu vaccines. The Most common side effects following flu vaccinations are mild, such as soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling where the shot was administered.
People with additional questions about vaccine safety should consult their healthcare provider. TOP
Is there a waiting period between receiving the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine and does it matter which one I get first?
No and No. You could get both vaccines on the same day. The only time there is a waiting period is if you are receiving two live vaccines (30 day wait). The vaccine the Health Department has is not live.
It does not matter which you receive first. You don't have to get a seasonal flu shot to get the H1N1 vaccine. TOP
I have already had the H1N1 flu, do I need to get a H1N1 flu shot?
If someone has had 2009 H1N1 flu, confirmed by a an RT-PCT test, they should have some immunity against 2009 H1N1 flu and can choose not to get the H1N1 vaccine. However, vaccination of a person with some existing immunity to the virus will not be harmful. TOP
What are the health conditions associated with "higher risk of complications from the flu"?
Asthma, chronic respiratory illnesses, heart disease, diabetes and certain neurological disorders. TOP
The doctor said I (my child, family member, classmate, etc.) am positive for influenza or H1N1, what exactly does that mean and should I be alarmed?
We know that the seasonal flu and H1N1 are in our community. The CDC has reported that more than 95% of laboratory tested and sub typed cases of Influenza A are 2009 H1N1 Influenza. However, laboratory testing for 2009 H1N1 flu is only being done in extremely rare cases. To confirm that a case of Influenza A is 2009 H1N1 a specimen must be sent to the Illinois Department of Public Health (or a private lab at a cost to the patient or doctor). The specimen is then cultured and typed in a process that takes anywhere from 24 to 72 hours.
Many healthcare providers are performing rapid Influenza A tests in the office despite the fact that the results of these tests are very often unreliable, producing many false positives. Based on the knowledge that H1N1 is the predominant strain of Influenza at this time they may be suggesting to patients with positive rapid tests or severe influenza like illness that they have the H1N1 flu. Public health officials do not consider these confirmed cases of H1N1. To be a confirmed case of 2009 H1N1 a specimen must have been sub typed using the process described above.
In most cases individuals recover from the flu in 3-5 days with proper rest and nourishment. Severe cases of illness can occur in rare occasion and there is cause for concern especially if the individual has other health problems such as respiratory illnesses and heart disease. It is also important to seek immediate medical care if the sick individual shows certain warning signs such as: difficulty breathing, dizziness or confusion, fever with rash, blue or grayish skin, not drinking enough water, severe or persistent vomiting.TOP
Why are you (the school/ my workplace) not reporting "confirmed" cases of influenza?
On August 30, 2009 CDC changed its system of reporting for flu. States are being asked to report only laboratory confirmed hospitalizations and deaths or cases of presumed influenza and/ or pneumonia. These reports are for all influenza and pneumonia related hospitalizations and deaths. This is not the same as it was in the spring.
The definition was broadened because:
- Regular seasonal influenza viruses and 2009 H1N1 are co-circulating.
- There are too many cases of flu to test and confirm so laboratory data is a big underestimate of the true number of cases.
- This system will provide a fuller picture of the burden of serious flu illness and deaths during this pandemic.
Therefore, IDPH is only performing laboratory confirmation on hospitalized cases or those that meet certain "case definitions" provided by the CDC. These confirmed cases are updated weekly on IDPH's website, www.ready.illinois.gov This information is not being reported at a county level.
The Health Department is working closely with the schools and IDPH to monitor cases of Influenza like illness and to communicate with parents about actions being taken and appropriate response for preventing the spread of illness. We know we have cases of H1N1 in our community but it is not cause for alarm as long as we are taking appropriate steps to prevent the spread of illness: getting vaccinated, covering coughs and sneezes, frequent handwashing, and staying home if sick. TOP
Where can I get answers to my other questions?
IDPH Questions and Answers. Please call the Health Department's Influenza Hotline at (630) 553-8340. Calls to the main Health Department number will be transferred to this line. You can also visit CDC's flu website at www.flu.gov or the Illinois Department of Public Health's website, www.ready.illinois.gov TOP
