Preventing the Spread of H1N1: Toolkit and Vaccination Clinics Schedule Available

The priority groups for H1N1 vaccine are:

• Pregnant women
• People living with or caring for infants under 6 months of age
• Emergency medical services personnel and health care workers
• Children and young adults from 6 months through 24 years
• People aged 25 through 64 years with chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease, asthma, diabetes or weakened immune systems

To help limit the spread of the virus the public health department has made available an online toolkit, Pandemic Flu Toolkit For Early Childcare Providers and Families, which you can access by clicking here. The toolkit, available in both English and Spanish, provides information on seasonal and pandemic H1N1 flu, offers action steps to help staff and families prevent the spread of flu, and includes materials that child care staff and families can use to organize these efforts. Additionally the kit provides flu prevention activities that are specifically designed for young children. Additional information on pandemic H1N1 flu may be found at www.publichealth.lacounty.gov. 

"The best way to prevent the spread of flu is to wash your hands often; cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes; and get vaccinated," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, L.A. County Department of Public Health director and First 5 LA commissioner. "If you are sick, stay home until at least 24 hours after the fever has gone away without the use of anti-fever medications. The same recommendation applies to children who go to school, daycare, or after-school programs."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also made available the following reference sheets regarding H1N1:

• Q & A on pregnant women and H1N1
• Guidance for early child care providers
• H1N1 Vaccine Q & A

Influenza, more commonly known as the flu, causes approximately 36,000 deaths and more than 200,000 hospitalizations each year in the United States. While the average case of H1N1 is no worse than other types of seasonal flu, some individuals are at a higher risk for serious complications. Since spring, 57 deaths in L.A. County have resulted from H1N1.

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