DENTON - The Denton County Health Department has announced additional H1N1 flu clinics scheduled for January.
The current flu season began in September and will continue through April. Traditionally, seasonal flu peaks in Denton County in late January or early February and health officials are unsure how the addition of H1N1 flu cases will affect the trend. If residents have not received their H1N1 vaccinations, it is not too late!
To ensure that each resident desiring H1N1 influenza vaccinations is able to receive it, DCHD has scheduled several clinics in January. The clinic dates, times, and locations are as follows:
· Tuesday, January 26, 2010 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the MLK Community Center. The MLK Center is located at 1300 Wilson Street Denton Texas
· Tuesday, January 26, 2010 from 4 p.m. to 8:00 pm. at Indian Gymnasium in Sanger Texas. The address is 105 Berry St. Sanger Texas.
· Saturday, January 30, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Northwest High school. The High School is located off of HWY 114 in Justin Texas. The exact address is 2010 Northwest High School, Justin Texas.
In accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), DCHD has relaxed the H1N1 vaccination requirements allowing H1N1 flu clinics to vaccinate members of the general public. DCHD encourages all residents to participate in an H1N1 vaccination clinic, but strongly urges those in the key risk populations to receive a vaccination. The key risk populations include those who are at higher risk of disease or complications, those who are likely to come in contact with H1N1 flu, and those who could infect young infants. The key risk populations include:
· Pregnant women
· People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
· Health care and emergency medical services personnel
· Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age
· People from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for H1N1 flu because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
While numbers of H1N1 cases are down from its peak, it is important to note how serious H1N1 is to children. The number of pediatric deaths from H1N1 is three times the number that normally occurs from seasonal influenza. Parents are urged to assure that their children are protected from this vaccine-preventable disease. Prevention is still the best course of action. Don't leave good health to chance, immunize now!
All Denton County Health Department H1N1 vaccinations are provided free of charge. Vaccinations are the best method to prevent influenza, but there are many everyday actions people can take to stay healthy this cold and flu season. First, it is important to stay home when sick and to keep your distance from others who are sick. It is also crucially important to make thorough and frequent hand washing a priority. Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze can help you protect those around you. Lastly, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to prevent germ-contaminated hands from infecting you.
For the timeliest information on 2009 H1N1 flu, please call the Denton County Flu Hotline at (940) 349-4FLU (4358) or visit http://www.dentoncounty.com/health.
