Hospital Emergency Staff Vaccinated as First Line Defense for Avian Influenza
THIS IS AN EXERCISE: THIS IS NOT A REAL EVENT.
This is a Drill!!!
For Immediate Release: July 26, 2006
Media Contact: Communication Office
Vermont Department of Health
802-863-7281
BURLINGTON -The Vermont Department of Healthvaccinated a select group of hospital emergency departmentstaff today after receiving a limited supplyof avian influenza vaccinefrom the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday.
“There is no avian influenza in Vermont, but we identified and vaccinated those expected to provide critical front-line support in the event of an emergency,” said Sharon Moffatt, RN, MSN, Acting Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health.
The vaccine was part of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), a federal asset that supplements local medication supplies. Eachstate was provided a limited number of doses,but the Department of Health is making every effort to obtain additional vaccine. Vermont Emergency Management coordinated the delivery of the supply to vaccination clinics.
Due to the limited supply, hospital emergency departments were asked to identify staff who would receive vaccine based on a distribution formula developed by the Health Department.
Although vaccine is limited, there are steps Vermonters can take to reduce the spread of germs and prevent infection. Wash hands frequently with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. These practical measures are useful for protection against seasonal fluand avian influenza.
The State of Vermont continues to conduct aggressive disease surveillance and investigation to detect unusual patterns of illness.
There were 50 suspected and 25 confirmed human avian influenza infections in California reported by the CDC. All 75 travelers visited either Australia, Tokyo or Bangkok, or had close contact with visitors to those areas. No additional cases have been reported during the past two days.
Providers are required to report to the Health Department any patients with travel history to an area that has been impacted by avian influenza who: 1) have a temperature greater than 100.4 degrees with a cough or sore throat, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), or other severe respiratory illness or 2) have had close contact (within 3 feet) with individuals suspected or confirmed to have the H5N1 avian.
For a full list of precautions and preparations families can take to prepare for a possible pandemic , please visit: http://healthvermont.gov/emerg/opf/checklist.aspx.
Anyone who shows symptoms should contact their physician or local health provider.
Vermonters with questions or concerns should call the Health Department Information Lineby dialing 2-1-1 or 1-866-652-4636.
For more information on pandemic flu, please visit: http://healthvermont.gov.