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Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, & ANC Health Dept.

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  • Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, & ANC Health Dept.

    PRIORITY: State wants people most at risk to be the first in line for doses.

    The state on Thursday received the first swine flu vaccine that it is targeting for the general public.

    It is sending about 8,500 doses to major pharmacies and community health centers, where it should be available around Oct. 29, said Greg Wilkenson, spokesman for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

    Fred Meyer, Carrs, Walgreens, Geneva Woods Pharmacy, and the Soldotna Professional Pharmacy will get the vaccine.

    Separately, the city health department announced it will offer vaccinations for all comers in mass clinics on the UAA campus the first three Saturdays of November and December.

    So far the state has received 30,800 doses of swine flu vaccine, about a third of it this week. More vaccine is coming in weekly.

    The shipments prior to this week were designated for children, hospital workers and pregnant women, and were distributed to health centers, hospitals, pediatricians' offices, obstetricians, gynecologists and birthing centers.

    The state is still asking the public to allow people in five priority groups -- people at most risk -- to be first in line, Wilkenson said.

    The priority groups are pregnant women, anyone caring for or living with babies under six months; people aged 6 months to 24 years; health care workers; and adults aged 25 to 64 with chronic health problems.

    The Anchorage School District is preparing for mass vaccinations through all 95 of its schools beginning Nov. 2.

    Its plans and city-sponsored clinics at UAA are both contingent on the steady arrival of more vaccine.

    The school district has set up an ambitious schedule that calls for a roving band of about 20 school nurses to tackle about a half dozen schools a day, averaging 3,200 vaccinations.

    The nurses will move through town much the same way Anchorage plows its streets, neighborhood by neighborhood.

    For example, on one day the plan calls for hitting half a dozen Birchwood and Chugiak elementary, middle and high schools; on another day, the nurses will vaccinate students at a half-dozen East Anchorage schools.

    Mark Mew, head of school district security, said he thinks there will be barely enough vaccine available to carry out the plan on schedule. If there's not, Plan B would be to get the elementary schools first and go to larger middle and high schools between Thanksgiving and Christmas vacation.

    The district is still sending out permission slips, and will likely get many back next week during parent-teacher conferences, said Superintendent Carol Comeau. Permission slips also are available at asdk12.org, under district news headlines, "ASD to offer H1N1 vaccine for students."

    Meantime, schools seem to be holding their own against the flu, said Comeau. At the beginning of the school year, a high number of students missed days, with 11,258 absences one week. Last week, there were 6,723 absences.

    Comeau credits strong delivery of the message that students should wash hands frequently, cough into their sleeves and stay home when sick.

    The city clinics at UAA are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the UAA Student Union Building on Nov. 7, 14 and 21, and at the UAA Cuddy Center Dec. 5, 12 and 19.

    "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

  • #2
    Re: Alaska - vaccine available Oct 29 in pharmacies, UAA, & schools

    Anchorage plans to offer free H1N1 vaccines

    Thursday, October 22, 2009

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The City of Anchorage plans to offer swine flu vaccines to everyone who wants one.

    The campaign started Thursday to prepare in case H1N1 becomes widespread.

    The Department of Health and Human Services will offer the shots free at its main clinic and at a few clinics around town.

    The first free clinic will be offered at UAA the first three Saturdays of November.

    The school district also plans to offer the shots to its students.

    "The one thing we've got to remember is that it's all dependent on the vaccine getting here in time, and the numbers we need in order to get it out. My other big pitch is everyone needs to be flexible. We may have to scoot the schedule around if we are starting to run low," said Mark Mew, the district's emergency preparedness director.

    The goal is to immunize 3,000 people at each clinic every day.

    The shots will be available next month.

    "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Alaska - vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, & ANC Health Dept.

      Also see chart at http://www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov/PD...ineClinics.pdf

      I'd suggest listening to local radio stations, as in my area there was notice of an unadvertised shot clinic.

      .
      "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, & ANC Health Dept.

        Municipality postpones 2nd swine flu vaccine clinic

        <SCRIPT type=text/javascript> if (window.WNColumnManager) WNColumnManager.add('WNStoryRelatedBox', {collapsible : true, heightAdjustable : false});</SCRIPT><!--END WNStoryRelatedBox-->by Channel 2 News staff
        Friday, November 6, 2009

        ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A shortage of available H1N1 vaccines has forced the Municipality of Anchorage to postpone a vaccination clinic for the second time in a week.

        Last week the city postponed a scheduled clinic for Nov. 2, and on Friday it delayed the Nov. 14 clinic.

        "While we expect to eventually be able to offer H1N1 flu vaccine the general public, we are currently focusing on priority risk groups," said Diane Ingle, Director of the Municipal Department of Health and Human Services.

        "The Municipality continues to support the Anchorage School District's vaccination efforts and is ensuring vaccine is available to local pharmacies and healthcare providers in an effort to reach the targeted priority population."

        The next clinic is scheduled for Nov. 21.

        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
        -Nelson Mandela

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.

          Fairbanks health officials encourage swine flu vaccinations

          by Rebecca George / rgeorge@newsminer.com
          11 hrs ago

          FAIRBANKS ? Local health officials recommend that parents consider getting their child vaccinated for the swine flu virus to help prevent the spread of the pandemic as the flu season nears.

          ?It is ultimately a personal choice,? said Shelly Foint Anderson, of the Fairbanks Public Health Clinic. ?But our goal is to educate the community as best we can and do our best to make the vaccine available,? she said.

          To make it easy, the Fairbanks Public Health Clinic is offering free seasonal flu and swine vaccines to children under 21. Those over 21 may also receive the vaccine for a $27 administration fee. If someone is unable to pay the fee, the Public Health Clinic will work with the patient using a sliding fee scale.

          ?No one is ever denied service for the inability to pay,? Anderson said.

          The clinic has been administering the swine flu vaccine since mid-October to those in the five recommended priority groups as it has been available.

          These groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical personnel, anyone between 6 months and 24 years of age and people from ages 25 through 64 years who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

          In the past week, Anderson noted an increase in people asking for both the seasonal and swine flu vaccine. The seasonal flu vaccine and swine flu vaccine are separate vaccines; a seasonal flu vaccine will not prevent swine flu.

          ?It?s not too late to get the seasonal flu vaccine, either,? Anderson said.

          ?People are beginning to plan for the holidays with travel plans and spending time in airports and larger cities ? they?re really thinking about these things.?

          Swine flu is not to be mistaken as a seasonal flu, though both are highly contagious.

          ?Some people have a natural immunity to a seasonal flu, but with a pandemic, like swine flu, no human has the immunity to fight it because it is a new, unidentified virus,? said Maureen Kauleinamoku, Fairbanks school district nursing coordinator.

          Public health officials are conducting three shot clinics in Fairbanks schools to provide the swine flu vaccine to local school-age children. The three shot clinics begin Nov. 19 at North Pole Middle School. Two subsequent clinics will be on Nov. 24 at West Valley High School and Dec. 3 at Lathrop High School. All three shot clinics will be held from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Children between the ages of 4-18 do not have to attend a public school in Fairbanks to attend a shot clinic.

          Kauleinamoku noted that swine flu has a tendency to show up mostly in younger age groups at any time of year, which is why the school district is offering the vaccine to schoolchildren.

          ?With swine flu, we?re seeing it more in children, which is not a group typically affected as much? by seasonal flu, she said.

          The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that people under age 49 account for 75 percent of swine flu hospitalizations and 60 percent of swine flu deaths in the United States.


          "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
          -Nelson Mandela

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.



            Michael Penn / Juneau Empire
            Second-grader Kylee Fairbanks receives the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine from Ashley Hamblin of the Juneau Public Health Center on Friday at Riverside Elementary School.


            Sunday, November 08, 2009

            Swine flu vaccination underway in schools</MCC HEAD>
            <MCC SUBHEAD></MCC SUBHEAD>
            <MCC BYLINE1>
            By Mary Catharine Martin | </MCC BYLINE1><MCC BYLINE2>JUNEAU EMPIRE</MCC BYLINE2>
            <MCC STORY>
            Juneau schoolkids have begun receiving swine flu vaccinations.

            At Riverbend Elementary on Friday, more than a third of the school's students lined up to receive a squirt of nasal vaccine in each nostril.

            Riverbend fifth-grader Carlos Alonso said the vaccination "feels weird in your nose."

            "It tickles," he said.

            Due to unexpectedly limited supplies, vaccination clinics scheduled for elementary schools are being confirmed week to week, said school district spokeswoman Kristin Bartlett. Gastineau Elementary School received shots the week before.

            While the vaccines are recommended by the state, participation isn't mandatory. Students must have signed permission slips to receive the vaccine.

            Riverbend Principal Carmen Katasse said 90 kids turned in signed permission slips before the event. There were 106 vaccines available, but staff expected to run out because of last-minute permission slips. Kids with permission who didn't get a vaccine will get it with the next shipment.

            Some kids, such as fifth-grader Clarita Velazquez, were waiting until next week and a shipment of injectable vaccines.

            The nasal spray vaccine is a live, weakened virus that does not contain preservatives. The shot contains a dead virus. Bartlett said it looks like Juneau will receive more shots than nasal spray next week.

            People with asthma, colds or some other health conditions should not receive nasal spray vaccinations.

            Greg Wilkinson, spokesman for the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services, which receives the vaccine from the Center for Disease Control and distributes it statewide, said the state tries to match the type of vaccine with type of demand.

            As of Friday, the department had received 82,770 doses and distributed 68,930, with more on the way. Juneau receives 4.7 percent of the state's shipments, proportionate to population, he said.

            More information is available on the school district's Web site at www.juneauschools.org/students_parents/swine_flu_h1n1_virus.


            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
            -Nelson Mandela

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.

              Swine flu vaccinations scheduled for schools

              Anchorage Daily News / adn.com
              Published: November 7th, 2009 10:50 PM


              The Anchorage School District has scheduled swine flu vaccination clinics at 25 schools the week of Nov. 9-15:

              Monday -- Alaska Native Charter School, Creekside Park, Muldoon, Nunaka Valley, and Ptarmigan elementary schools.

              Tuesday -- Government Hill, Kincaid and Eagle Academy elementary schools.

              Wednesday -- Abbott Loop, Kasuun, Lake Hood, Northern Lights ABC, Taku and Tudor elementary schools.

              Thursday -- Baxter, Chester Valley at Kennedy, College Gate, Rogers Park, Scenic Park and Susitna elementary schools and Polaris K-12.

              Friday -- Sand Lake, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor elementary schools and Whaley Center.



              "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
              -Nelson Mandela

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.

                More swine flu vaccine on tap

                Anchorage Daily News / adn.com
                Published: November 10th, 2009 09:05 PM
                Last Modified: November 10th, 2009 09:06 PM

                About 6,700 doses of swine flu vaccine were allocated for Anchorage providers, hospitals and pharmacies this week, plus 3,800 doses for the Anchorage School District's vaccination efforts, a city health department official said. Much of the vaccine won't arrive at its destination until late in the week, said Allison Biastock, city health department spokesman.

                The vaccine is available to those in priority groups, such as young people up to age 24, pregnant women and adults up to age 64 with chronic health problems.

                Biastock recommended that people in a priority group go to the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Clinic, which offers walk-in hours for swine flu vaccine from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays.

                Other locations in Anchorage that will get vaccine include Fred Meyer, Carrs, Geneva Woods and Walgreens pharmacies; urgent care facilities; and many private providers, including family practices, internal medicine doctors, ob-gyn and pediatric providers.

                The state Department of Health and Social Services says people should call their provider to see if the provider has the vaccine. It does not want to make public a list of the providers that have signed up to distribute vaccine, said Greg Wilkinson, spokesman for the department.

                "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                -Nelson Mandela

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.

                  I'd suggest people call the Alaska locations listed as having vaccine. The locations and phone numbers are in post #3. The media announced that a particular place was out of seasonal vaccine the same day I go mine - so the media is not 100% accurate.

                  In Alaska, information about vaccination is easy to find, due to the limited number of newspapers and TV stations, and the state website has good vaccination information.

                  .
                  "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.

                    City flu vaccine clinic limited to risk groups

                    Anchorage Daily News/adn.com
                    Published: November 18th, 2009 10:50 AM

                    The municipality's first public clinic for swine flu vaccinations will take place Saturday but will be limited to residents who fall into one of the priority groups, city officials said today.

                    The clinic will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- or until the vaccine supply runs out -- at the UAA Student Union Building, 2921 Spirit Way.
                    The city had intended to begin public vaccinations Nov. 7 but held off due to a shortage of vaccine.

                    The Saturday clinic will be open to children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years, pregnant women, those who are in contact with babies under 6 months old, health care workers, and people aged 25 to 64 with underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk if they catch the swine flu.

                    The health conditions covered include asthma, lung disease, heart disease, neurological and neuro-developmental conditions, diseases or medicines that weaken the immune system, and a variety of other disorders.

                    Those seeking vaccine should bring identification and be ready to discuss their immunization history, city officials say. Parents are asked to bring their child's shot records if possible.

                    People who are sick with flulike symptoms are asked not to come. They should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms are gone for at least 24 hours.

                    <NOSCRIPT></NOSCRIPT>
                    <SCRIPT><!--if(miyahoo.ads[mi_live_or_preview].yahoo.enabled){yld_mgr.place_ad_here("slot_4");}--></SCRIPT><!-- SpaceID=2022776541 loc=LREC noad --><!--flv has invalid value--><!--cCat has invalid value--><!--cCat has invalid value--><!----> For more information on vaccination clinics, call the municipal flu hot line at 343-2525 or visit the city's flu Web site at hhs.muni.org.


                    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                    -Nelson Mandela

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.

                      I doubt there will be any lines of people waiting outside, as the weather forecast for that morning is for zero to 10 above, & the UAA area is known to get even colder.

                      .
                      "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.

                        updated story:

                        Flu vaccine clinics limited to risk groups


                        Anchorage Daily News/adn.com

                        (11/18/09 10:50:42)
                        Free swine flu vaccinations are planned for the some members of the public in Anchorage and Mat-Su in coming days.

                        In Anchorage, the municipality's first public clinic for swine flu vaccinations will take place Saturday but will be limited to residents who fall into one of the priority groups, city officials said today.

                        The clinic is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- or until the vaccine supply runs out -- at the UAA Student Union Building, 2921 Spirit Way.

                        The city had intended to begin public vaccinations Nov. 7 but held off due to a shortage of vaccine.

                        The clinic Saturday is open to children and young adults ages 6 months to 24 years, pregnant women, those who are in contact with babies under 6 months old, health care workers, and people aged 25 to 64 with underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk if they catch the swine flu.

                        The health conditions covered include asthma, lung disease, heart disease, neurological and neuro-developmental conditions, diseases or medicines that weaken the immune system, and a variety of other disorders.

                        Those seeking vaccine should bring identification and be ready to discuss their immunization history, city officials say. Parents are asked to bring their child's shot records if possible.

                        People who are sick with flu-like symptoms are asked not to come. They should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms are gone for at least 24 hours.

                        For more information on vaccination clinics, call the municipal flu hot line at 343-2525 or visit the city's flu Web site at hhs.muni.org.


                        MAT-SU CLINICS

                        In Mat-Su, a free clinic is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Mat-Su College. The clinic is for the same priority groups targeted at Anchorage's clinic on Saturday. The entrance to the college is off Mile 2 Trunk Road. The clinic is a joint effort of the Mat-Su Borough, the state Department of Health and Social Services and the college.

                        On Saturday, the Mat-Su Borough School District will hold a clinic for students from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Colony High School. The clinic last week provided a reported 1,200 vaccines, the borough said.

                        The borough is also expecting to hold a vaccine clinic Dec. 17 at the Menard Sports Center. Planning has begun for a small clinic in Willow and a clinic in Talkeetna. Local health care providers also have the H1N1 vaccine.

                        The borough hot line for vaccine clinic updates is 761-3700. The borough preparedness page is also under Info on the homepage www.matsugov.us.

                        For more information about H1N1, go to the federal Web site at www.pandemicflu.gov.

                        "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.

                          In Mat-Su, a free clinic is scheduled for 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Mat-Su College.
                          Weather report is for zero to 5 above, with a 10 MPH wind!

                          Current temperatures for this area are setting cold records.

                          .
                          "The next major advancement in the health of American people will be determined by what the individual is willing to do for himself"-- John Knowles, Former President of the Rockefeller Foundation

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.

                            Sunday, December 20, 2009 Story last updated at 12/20/2009 - 2:48 am

                            H1N1 flu vaccine available for all SEARHC patients</MCC HEAD>
                            <MCC SUBHEAD></MCC SUBHEAD>
                            <MCC BYLINE1></MCC BYLINE1><MCC BYLINE2>Juneau Empire</MCC BYLINE2>
                            <MCC STORY>

                            SITKA - When supplies are in stock, the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium now is making H1N1 (swine) flu vaccine available for all of its patients.

                            Previously, SEARHC clinics had very limited supplies of the vaccine and the vaccine only was available to patients who were on priority lists established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for times of limited vaccine availability. The Alaska Division of Public Health relaxed those restrictions statewide on Dec. 1, but most SEARHC clinics still had very limited supplies until earlier this week. Now that SEARHC has received additional supplies, we are able to offer the vaccine to all patients who want it, when we have it available.

                            SEARHC patients who want the H1N1 flu vaccine should schedule a flu shot appointment with their local clinic, or check to see if it is holding a shot clinic. Also, many community emergency preparedness groups are scheduling community-wide flu shot clinics at local fire stations or other community buildings.

                            Earlier this week, the CDC announced a voluntary recall of a specific type of pediatric H1N1 flu vaccine for young children ages 6 to 35 months. This vaccine recall is not safety-related, only a precaution because a few batches of the pre-filled syringes lost some potency in their active ingredient during storage to a level just below the accepted range.

                            According to the CDC, these batches still are safe and parents don't need to take any action if their child received one of these doses. The young children who received vaccines from the affected batches do not need to be revaccinated, so long as all children age 10 and younger received the recommended two doses. Only a few of these affected batches reached SEARHC, and very few of the pre-filled syringes have been used. Our pharmacists and nurses have removed all remaining stock of this type of pediatric flu vaccine so it is out of circulation.
                            SEARHC continues to have very limited supplies of the seasonal flu vaccine, so we still are targeting the CDC priority lists for those people with a higher risk for seasonal flu complications. The seasonal flu priority group list and other flu information can be found on the SEARHC flu page online at http://www.searhc.org/flu/. You can call you local clinic for more information, or you can call the SEARHC flu hotline at 877-966-8549 (toll-free in Alaska) for a recorded message about flu vaccine availability.

                            Additional information on the flu can be found online at

                            http://www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov (state site), or at http://www.flu.gov/ or http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ (national sites).

                            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                            -Nelson Mandela

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Alaska - H1N1 vaccine available Oct 29 in state-wide pharmacies, UAA, ANC schools, &amp; ANC Health Dept.

                              Only one more chance for free H1N1 vaccine

                              by Channel 2 News staff
                              Tuesday, January 19, 2010

                              ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The city offered its second-to-last free H1N1 vaccination clinic Tuesday at Central Middle School.

                              The last clinic will be Jan. 26 from 5-9 p.m. at Begich Middle School.

                              Shot records will be required for children, and people with symptoms are asked to stay home.


                              "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                              -Nelson Mandela

                              Comment

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