State Preps as Swine Flu Spreads

[Commonground]

Thu, Sep 10, 2009


Today, Connecticut will unveil part of its plan to distribute the swine flu vaccine and it seems to be coming as the virus spreads rapidly. The number of cases at Yale University has nearly doubled.



Yale University has 55 cases of the H1N1 virus on campus, the Yale Daily News reports. University health officials say the rate at which students are reporting swine flu-like symptoms is increasing as well.



On Tuesday, health workers received reports of 20 new cases of probable swine flu.



?That?s a five fold increase in the reported cases per day that health services had been receiving prior to Labor Day?, Paul Genecin, director of Yale University Health Services, told the newspaper.


Students who call Yale University Health Services complaining of flu like symptoms are being told not to come into the nurses office. Instead, they are encouraged to quarantine themselves in their bedrooms.


As for the plan to hand out vaccines in Connecticut, priority groups will include pregnant women, young children, as well as healthcare and emergency workers.



More details will be released later Thursday in a summit on the virus that Gov. M. Jodi Rell has organized at the Connecticut Convention center.
The federal government expects 45 million doses of the vaccine to be available in about a month. Connecticut anticipates an initial shipment of half a million doses. So far there have been almost 2,000 confirmed cases of swine flu in our state, and nine deaths.


Most of the cases have been in New Haven and Fairfield counties.

http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/health/State-Gets-Ready-For-Swine-Flul-58482557.html

 

[Commonground]

State officials hold swine flu summit

State officials hold swine flu summit

<!--date-->Updated: 09/10/2009 06:19:02 AM EDT
<!--secondary date-->
<script language="JavaScript"> var requestedWidth = 0; </script>
<script language="JavaScript"> if(requestedWidth > 0){ document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.width = requestedWidth + "px"; document.getElementById('articleViewerGroup').style.margin = "0px 0px 10px 10px"; } </script>HARTFORD -- Connecticut state and local officials are set to meet to prepare for an expected swine flu outbreak.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell will be updating town officials, educators and emergency response workers on the state's vaccine distribution plan at Thursday's summit in Hartford.
The governor says Connecticut will get about 500,000 doses when the vaccine becomes available in mid-October, and it will receive about 200,000 doses every week afterward. The H1N1 vaccine is given in two doses 21 to 28 days apart.
The state plans to give the vaccine first to people who need it the most, including young children, health care workers and the elderly.
More than 1,900 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Connecticut, and nine people with underlying medical issues have died.



http://www.connpost.com/breakingnews/ci_13306201

 

[Commonground]

Governor announces state plan to distribute swine flu vaccine

Governor announces state plan to distribute swine flu vaccine

Written by Adam Liegeot, Governor's Office
Wednesday, 09 September 2009 13:12

Excerpt:

The state has been registering public and private doctors to administer the vaccine. Once available, it will be distributed to:


? All 31 acute care hospitals for their direct care staff;
? Community health centers;
? Private physicians? and OB/GYN offices;
? Visiting nurse associations;
? Grocery/pharmacy chains;
? School based health centers.


Governor Rell said the federal government expects that 45 million doses of the vaccine will be available by mid-October and will be made available to states at no cost. Connecticut anticipates an initial shipment of 500,000 doses. The state expects to receive an additional 200,000 doses weekly after the first allotment. The H1N1 vaccine is given in two doses 21-28 days apart. The H1N1 vaccine is only effective against the H1N1 virus and does not protect against seasonal influenza.


The state?s 41 mass vaccination areas, which are led by local health departments and districts, will coordinate, collaborate and communicate with the local health departments/districts and community health providers for their respective area to facilitate the timely administration of vaccine to target populations. Connecticut?s distribution plan was developed by the Department of Public Health with input and guidance from public and private providers, local health officials, state agencies, and others.
-snip-
http://acorn-online.com/joomla15/in...ine-flu-vaccine&catid=46:rfd-local&Itemid=778