State Works To Prepare For H1N1 Vaccine

[Commonground]

Governor Wants Agencies To Be Ready When Vaccine Arrives

POSTED: 12:07 pm EDT September 18, 2009
CONCORD, N.H. -- State officials met Friday to make sure all agencies are prepared when the H1N1 vaccine arrives.
"We're mostly at this point concerned about the citizens, the targeted populations, and making sure that the distribution strategy is in place," said Gov. John Lynch.The state is expecting 190,000 doses to arrive by the beginning of October. State officials said it's a complex undertaking to make sure that targeted populations, such as pregnant women, get the first doses. The plan is to distribute the vaccine through health care providers."It's a huge expectation and increase in work in private practice, so we're trying to work with them and figure out ways to make it more effective," said Dr. Jose Montero, director of public health.Some businesses have been installing hand sanitizers, and while Montero said that's better than nothing, basic hygiene is still important."The best thing to do is wash your hands with soap and water," he said. "That's better than anything else."The state Labor Department is alerting small businesses about national recommendations on how to deal with H1N1. Labor Commissioner George Copadis also said the No. 1 concern he's hearing from businesses is what to do when employees get sick."What we're encouraging them to do is send these workers home, and if they are feeling sick, I think it's up to the employer to do the responsible thing and send these workers home," Copadis said.Recently 15 students at Phillips Exeter Academy showed signs of having the H1N1 virus. Health officials said that's something that will be seen more as flu season progresses.

http://www.wmur.com/health/20987246/detail.html

 

[Commonground]

Re: State Works To Prepare For H1N1 Vaccine

State Officials Meet On H1N1, Transportation Workers Take Precautions

Drivers Plan To Clean Cabs, Buses Between Trips

POSTED: 5:49 pm EDT September 17, 2009
UPDATED: 8:22 am EDT September 18, 2009
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Gov. John Lynch was scheduled to meet Friday morning with state officials to discuss the H1N1 flu.

Meanwhile, public transportation workers are trying to take steps to help control the spread of the H1N1 virus.

Health officials said the flu virus can stay active for two to eight hours on most surfaces, and in some cases, it may stay active for days.

Lisa Kimball of Manchester Taxi said drivers are trying to take steps to help protect passengers and drivers from becoming sick.

"We have shields in the back, and if the driver has any kind of concern, they close the shield," she said. "There's a money slot. They can just put money in there. They keep some Lysol and disinfect constantly."

Cabs have hand sanitizer in the front and the back, and drivers try to wipe everything down between calls. It's a concept Goffstown Truck Center is considering for its school buses.

"We did the hand sanitizer because we really weren't sure what anyone would be doing," said Terri Modest of Goffstown Truck Center. "We realize that's not good enough, so we hope to be able to start spraying in between bus routes."

Modesto says she will be meeting with the superintendent of schools Friday to come up with a solid plan. She said that not all buses are up to her satisfaction, if drivers don't keep them clean, there will be consequences.

"It's the most confined space the kids are in all day long, and we are the first to get the students and the last in the afternoon," she said.

On city buses, the Manchester Transit Authority plans to use a bleach-based solution to clean the buses, but only if drivers notice someone exhibiting signs of H1N1.

For those flying, Manchester-Boston Regional Airport has hand sanitizer available, but only before security gates for now.

"We are in the process of adding wall-mounted hand sanitizers on the secure side, as well," said airport spokesman Brian O'Neill.

The airport is also cross-training some workers, so in case airport staff get sick, others can continue to maintain operations.

Amtrak officials said their current cleaning practices are effective against H1N1. They said they also have the option of refusing passengers who appear to pose a health risk to others.

http://www.wmur.com/health/20972163/detail.html