KWCH - Kansas News and Weather - H1N1 Vaccine Availability in Butler County

H1N1 Vaccine Availability in Butler County

The H1N1 vaccine has started to arrive in Butler County, but at this time in very limited quantities.  Until vaccine quantities increase, the Butler County Health Department will not be holding any community vaccination clinics.

Vaccine that has arrived has been distributed to the hospitals as well as health care providers that see patients in the priority vaccination groups.  The national Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and KDHE recommend that the following target groups receive high priority for vaccination until vaccine availability increases:

1. Pregnant Women
2. Persons who live with or provide care for infants less than 6 months of age (parents, siblings and daycare providers, etc.)
3. Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel who have direct contact with patients or infectious material
4. Children 6 months through 4 years of age
5. Children and adolescents 5-18 years of age who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications

Until people are able to be vaccinated against the virus, individuals are encouraged to take the

following steps to reduce its spread:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand

sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• If you become sick, stay home until at least 24 hours after fever or signs of fever without

the use of fever-reducing medications, in order to avoid spreading illness to co-workers

and friends.

• Cough or sneeze into a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues. If you do not have a

tissue, cover your cough or sneeze with your elbow and not your hands.

• Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water and getting adequate rest

and exercise.

If you have questions, contact the KDHE.  The toll-free number is 1-877-427-7317. Operators will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Additional information about the H1N1 Flu Virus can be found at the KDHE website. You can find a link to that above.