Volunteers Needed for Flu Response

The health department is recruiting volunteers to help during the flu season - answer phones, help with office duties and recruit more volunteers.
Call 417-874-1297, email volunteerhealth@springfieldmo.gov or visist www.beacommunityhero.com for details. Training starts November 2.

www.springfieldmo.gov/health/pr2009/102809volunteerCall.pdf

H1N1 Pandemic Declared a National Emergency

President Obama declares the H1N1 pandemic a national emergency.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091024/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_swine_flu

Sneezing 101

In your elbow or sleeve, not on your hand. That's the hypothesis from some bright, young scientists studying the proper way to sneeze.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXXgRvdq7fg

Where to go, what to do when you think you have the flu

The emergency room is not always the best option for everyone. Learn what you should do when you get the symptoms of flu. http://www.fighttheflumo.com/materials/WhatToDoWhenUHaveFlu.pdf

Also a new toolkit for faith-based organizations and information for people with asthma.

Q&A on H1N1 vaccine now on Fight the Flu website

Wondering who should get H1N1 vaccinations, when and where to get them? Find answers to your questions about the new vaccine.
http://www.fighttheflumo.com/materials/H1N1Vaccine_QA.pdf

New poster and Q and A posted on Fight the Flu website

New poster of texting teen with message about H1N1 and seasonal flu posted to www.fightthefluMO.com along with a Q and A comparison of H1N1 versus seasonal flu. Check it out!

Fight the Flu updates - new posters and health care worker information

Fight the Flu website has been updated to include three new posters for pregnant moms, parents and senior adults. The health care worker page has also had a major overhaul. Check it out at www.fightthefluMO.com.

FDA Approves H1N1 Vaccine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The vaccines will be distributed nationally after the initial lots become available, which is expected within the next four weeks.
The vaccines are made by CSL Limited, MedImmune LLC, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited, and sanofi pasteur Inc. All four firms manufacture the H1N1 vaccines using the same processes, which have a long record of producing safe seasonal influenza vaccines.

Read the article at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm182399.htm

Dept of Ag says H1N1 is NOT "swine flu"

Quoting:
"Swine influenza has been present in the United States for over 80 years, but the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus now circulating among humans is not the same as "swine flu." The 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza currently circulating among humans is a "novel" flu strain, with a genetic makeup that is unique and has not been seen before in humans, birds or pigs..."

H1N1 vaccine appears effective

Early reports from clinical trials of H1N1 vaccine show they are well tolerated and effective after one dose. Read the HHS news release at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/09/20090911a.html.