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State distributes antiviral medications
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 12:06 PM
By Misti Crane
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio health officials have sent about 2 million doses of antiviral medication from the state stockpile to local health departments and hospitals to help ensure there's enough for those most at risk of serious complications from the H1N1 virus.
Gov. Ted Strickland signed an emergency proclamation today that allowed for the release of supplies, including the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, he said during a news conference this morning.
His order also allows emergency medical workers to vaccinate people. EMS workers don't normally deliver vaccine, but special arrangements have been made this year to ensure there are enough trained people.
The first shipments into Ohio are expected within 24 hours, said State Health Director Dr. Alvin Jackson.
The state has ordered 61,500 doses of FluMist, which can be used only in healthy people who are 2 to 49 years old. Except for health-care workers, people from priority vaccination groups, including pregnant women, will have to wait for injectable vaccine.
Vaccine will continue to come into the state weekly, Jackson said.
Both he and Strickland called for vigilance in personal hygiene, including coughing and sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow and frequent hand washing.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/10/07/flu_ap.html?sid=101
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 12:06 PM
By Misti Crane
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio health officials have sent about 2 million doses of antiviral medication from the state stockpile to local health departments and hospitals to help ensure there's enough for those most at risk of serious complications from the H1N1 virus.
Gov. Ted Strickland signed an emergency proclamation today that allowed for the release of supplies, including the antiviral drugs Tamiflu and Relenza, he said during a news conference this morning.
His order also allows emergency medical workers to vaccinate people. EMS workers don't normally deliver vaccine, but special arrangements have been made this year to ensure there are enough trained people.
The first shipments into Ohio are expected within 24 hours, said State Health Director Dr. Alvin Jackson.
The state has ordered 61,500 doses of FluMist, which can be used only in healthy people who are 2 to 49 years old. Except for health-care workers, people from priority vaccination groups, including pregnant women, will have to wait for injectable vaccine.
Vaccine will continue to come into the state weekly, Jackson said.
Both he and Strickland called for vigilance in personal hygiene, including coughing and sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow and frequent hand washing.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/10/07/flu_ap.html?sid=101