H1N1 Flu Information

As your healthcare provider, we are committed to your health and the health of our community.  

The number of hospitalizations and deaths associated with all influenza (including 2009 H1N1 and seasonal strains) that were reported in Georgia residents in the week of 2/28/10-3/6/10 are below:

For the timeframe of 3/3/10-3/9/10, total number of H1N1 hospitalizations in Georgia was 38 with 3 deaths, bringing totals since 4/24/09 to 983 hospitalizations and 56 deaths.

H1N1 Vaccine Provider Locator

The Georgia Department of Community Health created the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Provider Locator to inform Georgia residents about which health care providers will provide the H1N1 vaccine as supplies become available. The allocations the state has received thus far have been small in comparison to the number of providers registered to administer the vaccine. This is why it is so important for anyone wishing to receive the vaccine to contact his or her family doctor's office or health care provider before making an appointment or traveling to the provider's office.

All the health care providers listed on the H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Provider Locator have signed written agreements to provide H1N1 vaccines as it becomes available and to be included in this listing. The following should also be noted:

• Participating county health departments are also included in the listing.
• At this time, small amounts of the H1N1 vaccine are being allocated by the CDC.
• Additional supply is anticipated over the next weeks and months.
• Health care providers receive their vaccine supply directly from the CDC's distributor, McKesson.

H1N1 Priority Populations

Plans are for initial distribution to be made available to primary healthcare providers who serve those at highest risk in the priority populations listed below:

• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age
• Women who are pregnant
• People with chronic diseases such as diabetes or asthma
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
• Expanded distribution to the general population will begin as supplies allow.

It is important that Georgians connect with a trusted and credible source of information to ensure that they are receiving the most updated and accurate information about novel H1N1. For a complete listing of information from the CDC regarding the H1N1 Flu, see the Infection and Prevention home page on the Intranet or visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/swineflu_you.htm. For additional information on the H1N1 Flu, you may also call 211 locally or (866) 680-8924 from your cell phone.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
• Georgia Division of Public Health's website: www.health.state.ga.us
• North Central Health District's website: www.northcentralhealthdistrict.com

The best way to stay prepared now that this outbreak has been declared a pandemic is to update your emergency supply kits, practice good hand hygiene, and stay aware of the current situation as it develops. Remember, the number one way to prevent the spread of infections is proper hand washing. Please take an active role in educating your family on ways to prevent the spread of infection.

Please take an active role in educating your family on ways to prevent the spread of infections.