Funding continues H1N1 vaccination initiative
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan has received a grant from Michigan Department of Community Health to continue providing H1N1 vaccination.
Included in the grant is funding for a mass media and community outreach campaign.
“It is not too late to get an H1N1 vaccination,” said Dr. Joshua Meyerson, medical director for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. “Flu season typically peaks early in March and it can last well into April. Vaccination is the best protection against the flu.”
All age groups are now eligible for H1N1 vaccination and vaccine supplies are plentiful.
“Everyone who wants an H1N1 vaccination can get it,” Meyerson said.
The health department will continue to offer appointments for free H1N1 vaccination; it is also available at many doctors’ offices (physicians may charge a small administrative fee). In addition, public health nurses will be bringing H1N1 vaccination to places in the community where people work, live and play.
“Many healthy adults let high risk groups get the vaccine first, early on when supplies were limited,” Meyerson said. “We’ve vaccinated most of the pregnant women, children and adults with underlying health conditions who wanted the vaccine. Now we’re concentrating on reaching healthy adults, older adults and adults who may have trouble getting to a doctor’s office or health department clinic for a shot, like residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities or adult foster care homes.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control opened H1N1 vaccination to healthy and older adults mid-December. Meyerson said the holidays interfered with many people’s intention to get vaccinated.
The health department has contacted businesses with at least 50 employees and offered to bring an H1N1 vaccination clinic to the worksite for workers and their family and friends. Some worksites are also opening up the clinics to the community. Check the health department’s Web site, www.nwhealth.org for details.
The health department is also launching a mass media and community outreach campaign this week that includes print, radio and television ads and public service announcements as well as less traditional promotion such as movie theater and restroom advertising.
For additional information about H1N1 vaccination, contact your health care provider, visit www.nwhealth.org, or call the health department at (800) 432-4121.
Included in the grant is funding for a mass media and community outreach campaign.
“It is not too late to get an H1N1 vaccination,” said Dr. Joshua Meyerson, medical director for the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. “Flu season typically peaks early in March and it can last well into April. Vaccination is the best protection against the flu.”
All age groups are now eligible for H1N1 vaccination and vaccine supplies are plentiful.
“Everyone who wants an H1N1 vaccination can get it,” Meyerson said.
The health department will continue to offer appointments for free H1N1 vaccination; it is also available at many doctors’ offices (physicians may charge a small administrative fee). In addition, public health nurses will be bringing H1N1 vaccination to places in the community where people work, live and play.
“Many healthy adults let high risk groups get the vaccine first, early on when supplies were limited,” Meyerson said. “We’ve vaccinated most of the pregnant women, children and adults with underlying health conditions who wanted the vaccine. Now we’re concentrating on reaching healthy adults, older adults and adults who may have trouble getting to a doctor’s office or health department clinic for a shot, like residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities or adult foster care homes.”
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control opened H1N1 vaccination to healthy and older adults mid-December. Meyerson said the holidays interfered with many people’s intention to get vaccinated.
The health department has contacted businesses with at least 50 employees and offered to bring an H1N1 vaccination clinic to the worksite for workers and their family and friends. Some worksites are also opening up the clinics to the community. Check the health department’s Web site, www.nwhealth.org for details.
The health department is also launching a mass media and community outreach campaign this week that includes print, radio and television ads and public service announcements as well as less traditional promotion such as movie theater and restroom advertising.
For additional information about H1N1 vaccination, contact your health care provider, visit www.nwhealth.org, or call the health department at (800) 432-4121.