H1N1 Vaccine Available Only in FluMist Form for First Priority Group

– Flu Clinic This Friday, 4-7 p.m. –

Platte Valley Medical Center will host its first H1N1 vaccination clinic this Friday, October 30, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in Conference Rooms A & B. The current vaccine available is FluMist and will only be available to the following groups based on recommendations by the Colorado Department of Public Health:

• Individual household contacts of children under 6 months of age (these individuals must be healthy with no underlying health conditions and between the ages of two and 49). 
• Healthy children, ages 2- 4, without any underlying health conditions.

The price for H1N1 FluMist vaccines is $15.00. As additional vaccine becomes available for the next tier of priority groups, additional community clinics will be announced. Please continue to visit this blog for updates and announcements. You can also call the hospital’s flu line at 303-498-3595 for details.

October 15, 2009

Dear Patients and Visitors,

This is the most severe flu season in recent history. We expect more people will become sick due to the addition of 2009 H1N1 flu, together with seasonal flu, coughs and colds.

To help avoid the spread of these infections, Platte Valley Medical Center is implementing the following visitor restrictions as recommended by the Colorado Department of Public Health*:

1. No ill visitors of any age allowed throughout the hospital, especially in the Medical/Surgical Unit, Women’s and Newborn Center, and Intensive Care Unit.

2. No more than four (4) adult visitors at a time in the Medical/Surgical Unit and Women’s and Newborn Center. Additional restrictions may be enforced in the Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit, and Special Care Nursery.

 3.  No visitors less than 18 years of age (healthy or ill), including siblings, for these reasons:

> Children under 18 are considered a high risk group for carrying the 2009 H1N1 flu virus.

> Individuals with 2009 H1N1 flu may innocently spread the virus to patients and staff because they can be contagious 24 hours prior to showing any symptoms and potentially infectious for up to seven days.  

4. Please wash your hands every time you enter and leave a patient’s room and the hospital. Use the waterless foam throughout the hospital, an alcohol product or wash with soap, water, and friction for 15 seconds.

5. Get your seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines. Visit www.immunizecolorado.com or call the CO HELP line at 1-877-462-2911 for additional information.

As new flu updates are announced, they will be posted to this blog (www.pvmc.org/blog).

We acknowledge the inconvenience this may have for you; however, we ask that you respect this advisory as an important precaution in containing the effects of this potentially dangerous virus.

Sincerely, 

* Policy subject to change and exceptions may occur in certain situations.

If you have the flu and are experiencing any of the following complications related to the flu, you should go to the hospital for care.    

Emergency warning signs for children include:

1.)     Fast or difficult breathing

2.)     Bluish or gray skin color

3.)     Not drinking enough fluids

4.)     Severe or persistent vomiting

5.)     Not waking up or not interacting

6.)     Being so irritable that the child doesn’t want to be held

7.)     Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Emergency warning signs for adults include:

1.)     Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

2.)     Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen

3.)     Sudden dizziness

4.)     Confusion

5.)     Severe or persistent vomiting

6.)     Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

The hospital uses protective equipment like masks, gowns and gloves, and isolation practices to reduce the risk of transmission of influenza. Hospital staff also receives vaccinations to prevent infections, too.

Severe illness and even deaths have been reported due to the flu, so you should not hesitate to seek care when the above signs are present.