Oakwood experts offer H1N1 advice during live call-in show

Have a question for health care experts about the H1N1 virus? Consumers within listening range of Detroit-based WJR 760am - will be able to ask questions to a panel of experts during a special feature of Oakwood Healthcare System's Champions of Care. The live call-in clinic takes place next week. Date and Time TBA.

The experts include:
Rama Thyagarajan MD, Medical Director of Infection Control
Barb Medvec, Chief Nursing Officer
Sara Atwell, Chief Quality and Patient Safety Officer
Maureen D'Agostino, Senior Vice President Organizational Excellence, Accreditation, Compliance

Oakwood's weekly Champions of Care program features expert advice on topics that concern many patients: Open Heart, Knee replacement, diets, and more. Past programs can be found on Oakwood.org.

Remember, find H1N1 vaccination clinics at WhereToFindFluShots.com

Many H1N1 Vaccination Clinics across the U.S.

As the H1N1 continues to spread across the United States, so does the effort to distribute the H1N1 vaccination. Today several mass H1N1 clinics are being held to offer those interested an opportunity to get vaccinated. Most clinics have specific requirements about who is eligible. They are included in the links below.

If you know about an H1N1 or Influenza vaccination clinic - add them our search at http://www.wheretofindflushots.com/ and help spread the word.

Wayne County, Michigan
Schoolcraft College in Livonia 10am to 4pm
Hamtramck High School in Hamtramck 10am to 4pm

Macomb County, Michigan
Freedom Hill 9am to 3pm

Washtenaw County, Michigan
Pioneer High School 9am to 2pm

Detroit, Michigan
Northwest Activites Center 11am to 3pm
Coleman Young Center 11 to 3pm
Heilmann Recreation Center 11am to 3pm
LaSED Community Center 11am to 3pm


Chicago, Illinois
Kennedy King College 9am to 2pm
Olive Harvey College 9am to 2pm
Richard Daley College 9am to 2pm
Truman College 9am to 2pm
West Side Technical Institute 9am to 2pm

Washington DC
Eliot-Hine Middle School 8am to 1pm
Kelly Miller Middle School 8an to 1pm
Hardy Middle School 8am to 1pm


Los Angeles -
Ester Snyder Com Center 9am to 3pm
Westchester Recreation Center 9am to 5pm
Baldwin Hills Recreation Center 9am to 5pm
Downey Civic Center

Santa Barbara, CA
Carpintera Fire Station 10am to 2pm

New York
Sheepshead Bay High School 9 to 6pm Sat, 9 to 5pm Sun
Manhatten New School 9 to 6pm Sat, 9 to 5pm Sun
Roberto Clemente 9 to 6pm Sat, 9 to 5pm Sun

Maryland
Prince Frederick 9am to 1pm
Aberdeen High School 9am to noon

Huron County offers H1N1 vaccination Clinic Today

An H1N1 vaccination clinic will be held on Tuesday, November 10 from 4-7 pm at the Huron Area Technical Center (HATC).

Per CDC guidelines, vaccine will be given to members of the initial target group. This group includes:
• pregnant women,
• persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months (e.g., parents, siblings, and daycare providers),
• health-care and emergency medical services personnel,
• children aged 6 months--24 years, and
• persons aged 25-64 who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

Children and adults who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications will receive injectable vaccine. Healthy children and adults who meet the above criteria would receive nasal spray. Healthy children and adults who do not want the nasal spray will need to wait to be vaccinated until we receive adequate supplies of injectable inactivated vaccine. A parent or legal guardian must be present for children under 18 years of age. This vaccine is intended for Huron County Residents. There will be no charge for the H1N1 vaccinations.

Additional H1N1 clinics will be scheduled as vaccine shipments are received. Please call 989-269-9721 ext 150 or visit our website at huron.localhealth.net.

Stopping the Pig Flu (H1N1) in Your House

Tis the season for constant reminders to cover your mouth and nose, wash your hands, disinfect surfaces to prevent the spread of swine flu. Read below if you are looking for some H1N1-experienced based tips to help you stop spreading the germs in your house:

1. Place bottles of anti-bacterial hand gel around the house - especially by the heavily used areas:
a. Right in front of the family room computer keyboard
b. Kitchen table/island (next to the fruit bowl)
c. Next to the box of tissues (when they grab a tissue - they will see the gel)
d. Next to the TV remote control
e. By the land-line (phone) and/or answering machine

2. Restock your favorite anti-bacterial hand soap (many scents and moisturizers at Bath and Body Works). Place at all sinks in your house.

3. Keep repeating "wash your hands", "cover your mouth" - not only is it a great reminder of forming good habits, but years later tell their own kids the same thing and thank you for caring.

4. Use Disinfectant sprays- According to Lysol: Laboratory tests have shown that many LYSOL® products, when used according to label instructions, are effective against similar strains of Influenza virus H1N1.

5. Clean all common places with disinfectant wipes including:
Handles: Doors (Inside and Outside), Closet, Mailbox, Cabinents
Appliances: refrigerator, freezer, washer, dryer, dishwasher, microwave
Handrails: Stair, porch, bath/shower area

6. Buy an upright toothbrush holder to help keep toothbrushes away from each other. Remember to have them rinse the toothbrush with hot water. See CDC for more toothbrush care tips.

7. Open your windows - weather permitting.

8. Don't share cups or straws. Sharing of utencils is also a no-no.

9. Refrain from kissing - Alternatives can be: Hugging (Bear Hugs are great), Blow a kiss, and a peace sign.

Got a tip for Stopping the Pig? Please let us know!

FYI: If you are looking for the H1N1 vaccine - check out our new website at Where To Find Flu Shots.com

Central Michigan Counties announce H1N1 clinics - Children Only

The Central Mid-Michigan Public Health Department has announced H1N1 Vaccination Clinics for childcare and school-age children at school based clinics throughout the area. Home-schooled children are also eligible to participate. The county offers 6 local health departments that will be offering H1N1 vaccines to more priority groups in December - provided the shipments come as expected. Check out Where To Find Flu Shots.com.

Contact information for the 6 local health departments can be found on these links: Isabella County, Clare County, Gladwin County, Roscommon County, Arenac County, and Osceola County.

The clinics are served on a first come-first served basis.

Tuesday - November 3 - 1pm to 7pm
Mount Pleasant High School 1135 S. Elizabeth Street

Wednesday - November 4 - 1pm to 7pm
Harrison High School 700 S. 5th Street

Thursday - November 5 - 2pm to 7pm
Pine River High School 17445 Pine River Road

Friday - November 6 - 1pm to 7pm
Marion High School 2213 20 Mile Road

Tuesday - November 10 1pm to 6pm
Gladwin High School 1400 N. Spring Street
Reed City High School 224 W Church

Thursday - November 12
10am to 6pm - Beaverton Middleschool 440 S. Ross Street
1pm to 7pm - Beal City High School 3117 Elias
1pm to 6:30 pm Evart Middle School 321 N. Hemlock

Friday - November 13 1pm to 7pm
Shepard High School 100 Hall Street

Tuesday - November 17 - 11:30am to 6:30pm
Roscommon High School 10600 Oakwood Road

Wednesday - November 18th 0 1pm to 7pm
Farwell School District - Jaime Center 500 E. Ohio Street

Thursday - November 19 - 1pm to 7pm
Standish - Sterling High School 2401 Grove Road

Monday - November 23 - 1pm to 6pm
Houghton Lake High School 4433 W. Houghton Lake Drive

Know of a flu clinic in your area - add it to WhereToFindFluShots.com today - and spread the word today.

CDC Prioritizes H1N1 Vaccine Use

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has just provided their recommendations for who is at the top priority to receive the H1N1 vaccine. Please continue to use the CDC website as the official source

• pregnant women,
• people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age,
• health care and emergency services personnel,
• persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age, and
• people from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

They also caution that the "novel H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal flu vaccine. It is intended to be used alongside seasonal flu vaccine to protect people. Seasonal flu and novel H1N1 vaccines may be administered on the same day.

Other articles
H1N1 Unstoppable
H1N1 Preparations for State Health Departments
Swine Flu Signs and Symptoms

H1N1 Preparations for State Health Departments

On Friday, the Health and Human Services announced that $360 million in federal grant money would be given out to states for the on-going battle against the H1N1 virus as well as up-coming flu seasons. Although the virus has started to die down in the media, it still active and affecting the world. There have been 37,246 confirmed cases in the United States alone. As for the funding, "About $260 million of the funds will go directly to state health departments for emergency response planning and a fall vaccination campaign. The rest of the money, about $90 million, will go to hospitals to prepare for a possible surge of patients if an outbreak hits that community". The funds will help heath care departments and hospitals, as it will also keep them prepared for possible outbreaks. We, as citizens, should still be aware of our surroundings and practice healthy habits in order to help halt the H1N1 spread.

For the full article, visit: MLive: Federal grants to fund H1N1 flu preparations for state health departments, hospitals