ODH Reminds Physicians and Other Populations to get Seasonal Flu Vaccination

Ohio Department of Health (ODH) would like to remind physicians and other populations to get the seasonal flu vaccination. While this does not protect individuals from pandemic H1N1, it will help fight off seasonal flu.  

The specific populations include: 

• Expectant mothers and young children
• OB/GYN physicians
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel
• Household contacts or caregivers for children younger than 6-months-old
• Persons aged 25 through 64 who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

A public service announcement is available urging Ohioans to get their seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine when it is available.

Many questions remain about the pandemic H1N1 vaccine.  The federal government and vaccine manufacturers are working to make the vaccine available as soon as possible. Read more about the importance of vaccination and the priority groups for H1N1 vaccine currently recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Remember to take other everyday actions to improve your chances of staying healthy this flu season. These include:

• Thorough and frequent hand washing or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers if soap and water are unavailable
• Not touching your eyes, nose and mouth – germs are spread that way
• Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, or coughing or sneezing into your elbow
• Staying home when sick and keeping sick children home from school and/or day care.

More information about pandemic H1N1 flu is available on the ODH Web site.