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Current Condition Alerts
Get vaccinated!
Vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu.
You need two vaccines to be fully protected this year. The seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine are separate vaccinations. A seasonal vaccine is distributed routinely every year and is available now. The H1N1 flu vaccine is in development for distribution by mid-October 2009.
The seasonal vaccine is not expected to protect against the H1N1 flu and the H1N1 flu vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. Each protects against a different virus and is intended to be used along-side the other. Get both!
H1N1 Influenza (Swine flu) – Personal and Business Actions
PERSONAL ACTIONS:
- Get your flu shots
- Seasonal – available now, single inoculation
- H1N1 – available mid-October. 2 inoculations 3 weeks apart for children under 10, 1 inoculation for all others.
- Know symptoms of various types of illnesses, such as flu, cold, etc.
- Contact your primary care physician immediately upon onset of symptoms with fever.
- Stay informed about flu outbreaks, listen, read or watch news reports. Check http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
- The first line of defense to prevent transmission from person-to-person is careful hand hygiene. Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Keep unwashed hands away from your face.
- Cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow
- Avoid traveling when ill.
- Stay home from work or school or other public places while ill.
- For travelers, assemble a travel health kit containing basic first aid and medical supplies. Be sure to include a thermometer and alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
BUSINESSES:
- Provide flu shots to employees if recommended by public health authorities. (Flu shot info above).
- Provide disease control information in paycheck stuffers and posters for employees in workplace.
- Reinforce methods of proper hand hygiene.
- Provide alcohol-based hand sanitizer and facial tissues throughout business.
- Sanitize restroom facilities, break areas, and work areas where appropriate. Keep the workplace safe and well ventilated.
- Provide individual-issued personal equipment when appropriate such as headsets for phones, welding masks, and goggles. Provide sanitizing wipes when this equipment is shared.
- Remind employees who travel about hygiene and protective measures.
- Develop plans to function for high absenteeism. Plan for temporary workers as needed.
- Prepare for loss of basic community services such health care, emergency response, transportation, and utilities due to high rates of illness.
- Have contingency plans for vendors, suppliers, professional staff and customers who cannot respond to your needs or accept your products or services.
- Revisit sick day policies to prevent sick employees from reporting for work.
Stay informed about flu outbreaks, listen, read or watch news reports. Check http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
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