We have an update on H1N1 (swine flu) information to pass on to you and the organizations that you serve.

Online Survey to Assess H1N1 Vaccine Availability to Kentuckians
The Kentucky Department for Public Health (DPH) is asking that Kentucky residents take a new online survey about availability and related issues involving the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. The survey is anonymous and will be available through Dec. 19, 2009. It will be used to help measure the extent to which target group populations in Kentucky have been able to access and obtain the H1N1 vaccine and the projected percentage of Kentuckians in the target groups who have received it or wish to receive it. The target groups identified for the survey include: pregnant women; people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months; young adults from 18 to 24 years of age; and people with chronic health conditions that include asthma, neurological conditions, chronic lung and heart disease, and disorders of the kidney, liver, endocrine system and blood. A telephone survey is also being conducted simultaneously with the online survey. The survey can be accessed at http://healthalerts.ky.gov/Pages/H1N1AvailabilitySurvey.aspx.

H1N1 Vaccinations Opening Up to the General Public
Some local health departments will begin opening up their H1N1 vaccinations to members of the general public shortly. Initial efforts of local health departments have been concentrating on vaccinating individuals that are listed in the target groups for complications from the H1N1 virus to include:
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months old
• Health care and emergency medical services workers
• Children and young adults 6 months to 24 years old, especially those with chronic health problems
• People 25 to 64 years old with chronic health problems

Please check with your local health department for additional information regarding this. Also, continue to go to http://healthalerts.ky.gov for the latest in H1N1 information, vaccine clinics and school closings related to influenza-like illness (ILI).

Invitation to Participate in Upcoming Conference Call with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

You are invited

Dial in Number: 1-888-946-4716
Pass Code:  5171679

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services invites you, and those you serve, to a regional conference call on December 17, 2009, from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. The purpose of the call is to provide essential information and resources to ensure hard-to-reach populations receive H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccinations in the coming months. Invited participants include community and faith-based organizations and leaders and groups working with hard to reach populations in the eight southeastern states (AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, and TN).

National and regional federal officials will provide: 1) an update on H1N1, vaccine and the safety and importance of vaccinations; 2) an overview of H1N1 activity in the eight southeastern states; and 3) four key ways community and faith-based organizations can help their communities stay healthy, including a brief overview of H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community & Faith-Based Organizations. A question and answer session will follow the presentations, and state health departments will be available to answer questions specific to their states.

Program leaders and the individuals your organization serves are encouraged to participate.  To join: Please dial: 1-888-946-4716 and enter the participant code 5171679. Please share this invitation through your distribution channels.   We look forward to partnering with you on this important outreach.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact, Sharon Ricks, Deputy Regional Health Administrator, 404-562-7906 or email sharon.ricks@hhs.gov.

Thank you.

 [*Please note: a second call is planned for January 2010. The purpose of that call will be to provide organizations with information on human services programs that can support families under stress from flu response and in economic recovery.]

The links below include four fact sheets with multiple versions (same text) of each to address Spanish language and race and ethnicity differences. Whether or not you can join the call, we encourage you to share appropriate fact sheets with those you serve.

You and the H1N1 flu vaccine.  2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is given in two ways.
a. English version http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/h1n1_safety_flyer.pdf
b. Spanish Version http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/h1n1_safety_flyer_sp.pdf

Children should get the vaccine.  Most children who get 2009 H1N1 flu feel better within a week.
a. English version http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/09_h1n1_children.pdf
b. Spanish version http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/09_h1n1_children_sp.pdf

Protect yourself from H1N1. Get the vaccine. 
a. English for African Americans http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/09_h1n1_vaccine_safety_ver2.pdf
b. English for Asian and Pacific Islanders http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/09_h1n1_vaccine_safety_ver1.pdf
c. English for American Indian and Alaskan Natives http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/09_h1n1_vaccine_safety_ver4.pdf
d. English for multicultural audiences http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/09_h1n1_vaccine_safety_ver3.pdf
e. Spanish for non English-speaking Hispanics http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/2009-10/pdf/09_h1n1_vaccine_safety_sp.pdf

Cover Your Cough.  Stop the Spread of Germs that Make You and Others Sick!
a. English version http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/pdf/cdc_cough.pdf
b. Spanish version http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/espanol/pdf/covercough_school_8x11_sp.pdf

If any KOIN members are interested in participating in the call with us at the Kentucky Department for Public Health building in Frankfort, please contact me.

Free Flu Materials Available
We also have free H1N1 flu materials available in both English and Spanish (folding pandemic flu pocket brochures and flu fingertip cards). If you are interested, please let us know the quantity you need and we’ll be happy to get them right out to  you.