The H1N1 “swine flu” is a hot topic and I would like to update you on how your county and communities are responding.

There will be an initial 3.4 million doses of H1N1 vaccines to the United States. Palm Beach County (PBC) can expect 64,100 doses of that first round. Vaccinations will be distributed throughout Florida following the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines. This priority list contains five target groups that are more susceptible to the virus. They are: pregnant women; persons who live with or provide care for infants aged less than 6 months such as parents, siblings and daycare providers; health-care and emergency medical services personnel; persons aged 6 months to 24 years; and persons aged 25 to 64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza-related complications.

Dr. Alina Alonso, Director of the PBC Health Department, recommends that people with respiratory illnesses stay home from work and school to avoid spreading infections. The health department has developed a checklist of items that will be distributed at Publix, Walgreens and CVS urging people to prepare for illness as they would a hurricane. Other helpful tips include:
• Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illnesses
• If you are sick with flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities and that you stay away from others to keep from making others sick

It is important to know that even if you receive the seasonal flu shot you will not be protected against H1N1, or vice versa. Many of you are already planning on getting your seasonal flu shot shortly by way of the Alliance of Delray Beach, the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Association (COBWRA) or by another means. Throughout the month of October the Alliance of Delray Beach will be supplying the serum to 40 communities within their membership and COBWRA is scheduled to administer the serum to 9400 residents in 47 Boynton communities. Both organizations are planning on providing similar services with the H1N1 vaccine as it becomes more readily available. The PBC Health Department is strongly recommending that people get both vaccinations and will be hosting outreach events to get vaccines to residents. For more information on these events, visit www.PBCHD.com or call 561-840-4500.

I would also like to suggest that individual communities make instant hand sanitizer available to its residents in all your common areas such as clubhouses, pool sides, card rooms, dining halls, etc.

For more information on H1N1 and the availability of vaccines, visit the CDC online at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu or by calling 800-232-4636. Updates can also be found through the Florida Health Department at www.myflusafety.com or by phone at 877-352-3581.

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