Influenza Update
The Latest News on H1N1 (Swine) Flu
Staying Healthy During a Flu Pandemic
H1N1 Vaccine Availability
The Loudoun County Health Department will have the capacity to vaccinate approximately 2,000 people at Smart’s Mill Middle School, located at 850 North King Street in Leesburg, on Saturday, November 7, 2009, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and lasting until 2:00 p.m. or until all vaccine has been administered. The vaccine will be offered on a walk-in basis free of charge and those desiring vaccination are encouraged to wear a short sleeve shirt or top. |
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The formulation of injectable H1N1 vaccine available contains thimerosal and can only be given to people 4 years of age and older. There will also be a small amount of live, attenuated (mist) H1N1 vaccine for children 2 to 9 years of age without chronic medical conditions; the mist formulation does not contain thimerosal.
Loudoun County’s November 7 H1N1 vaccination clinic is intended only for people in the following high risk categories:
- Pregnant women
- Children from 4 years to 18 years of age who have certain medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications, including asthma and other chronic lung diseases; heart or kidney disease; metabolic disorders (such as diabetes); blood disorders (such as sickle cell anemia); weakened immune systems (such as children with cancer, HIV or AIDS, or who are on medications like steroids or others that weaken the immune system); muscle or nerve disorders that can lead to breathing or swallowing problems; or medical conditions that require them to be on aspirin therapy
- Children from 2 years to 9 years of age with no underlying medical conditions
Additional clinics will be set up to provide H1N1 vaccine to those outside these target groups as soon as further vaccine shipments arrive. Please check back often for the most up-to-date information, or contact the Loudoun County Health Department at flu@loudoun.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Please also check with your private health care provider for vaccine availability.
Additional Resources
Flu Questions & Concerns
If you have questions about either the seasonal flu the H1N1 (Swine) flu, please contact the Loudoun County Health Department flu@loudoun.gov or phone the flu information line at 703-771-5512.
If you would like to find out how you can help with this situation or any public health emergency, please go to www.loudoun.gov/mrc for more information.
Community Meetings
The Loudoun County Health Department has been hosting H1N1 influenza information meetings for the general public. The most recent was on October 14, 2009, in Hamilton.
The free program provided the latest information on seasonal and 2009 H1N1 (Swine) influenza and how to prepare for both. Representatives from the Loudoun County Health Department, Loudoun County Public Schools, and Inova Loudoun Hospital discussed what is being done and steps you can take to prepare your family, your business, and your community for influenza.
Earlier, the Health Department hosted an informational meeting on H1N1 and seasonal influenza for the general public on September 23, 2009, at the Loudoun County Public Schools Administration Building in Ashburn. A video of the meeting is available online:
Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
Loudoun County has been preparing for a possible flu pandemic for several years and has activated that plan. A copy of the county's Pandemic Influenza Response Plan is available online.
The Loudoun County Health Department encourages residents to follow these standard guidelines to stay healthy and reduce the spread of disease:
- If you get sick, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
- Sneeze and cough into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
- Wash your hands often, scrubbing your hands together for 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
- Get your seasonal flu vaccine now and, when available, the H1N1 flu vaccine.
There is no indication that there is a risk of getting the H1N1 (swine) flu virus from contact with pigs or from eating properly cooked pork products.
On May 26, 2009, the Health Department confirmed Loudoun's first laboratory-confirmed case of H1N1 influenza in a young man who has fully recovered. Details are online here.
For More Information
For more information about influenza contact the Health Department at flu@loudoun.gov or by phone at 703-771-5512. If you would like to find out how you can help with this situation or any public health emergency, please go to www.loudoun.gov/mrc for more information.
The latest information on the H1N1 (swine) flu investigation, including additional tips on how you can stay healthy, is also available from:
Additional Resources
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