The Fairfield Department of Health, is working with the Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and other community agencies to hold clinics in the community for at-risk groups including:  pregnant women, infant’s caregivers, children 6 months to 24 years of age; and people up to age 65 with medical conditions.    When available, H1N1 vaccine will also be in many pharmacies, some primary care physicians and local hospitals for these high risk groups. 

Pre-registration aids the processing of paperwork and avoids errors in legibility.   PLEASE NOTE: Preregistration does NOT guarantee available vaccine at the clinic. It is still first come, first served.

 To pre-register:  (Click here for printable instructions)

1. -Access the H1N1vaccine web site at https://h1n1vaccine.odh.ohio.gov/ 

2. -Go to the "Individual/Family Pre-Registration" section at the top of the page and scroll to the box on the far right, titled "Individual Login."  You will need to click on the link for "New Individual/Family to Pre-register" to create a login (note that this login will be used in the future to pre-register other family members). 

3. -Create a login and password. 

4. -Click the "Register New Individual" button on the right of the screen and enter the requested information. 

5. -Once all information has been completed, click the "Save" button at thebottom. 

6. -Click on the "Print Patient Form" button to print the form. 

7. -Take the printed form with you when you present for vaccine.  Remember that only high risk groups, detailed above, will be receiving the first available vaccine doses. 

     Current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) requires public health agencies to only report numbers of hospitalized H1N1 cases and numbers of deaths rather than individual cases.  This means that the Fairfield Department of Health does not have any names or numbers of people with H1N1 in the county.  The reason for this is that the national, state and local health departments know that H1N1 is already in the country, state and county.  Together with our county agencies, your Fairfield Department of Health is taking steps like the vaccination clinics to prevent H1N1 from having a severe impact on our residents. 

PREVENTION: Your Fairfield Department of Health offers the following prevention recommendations:

·         Stay informed.   Check the CDC website, www.cdc.gov for up to date information or call the Ohio Department of Health information phone line at 1-866-800-1404 which is staffed from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, and includes Spanish speaking operators.

·         Cover your cough by using your sleeve or arm. You may also cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the tissue in the trash.

·         Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.

·         Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

·         Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

·         Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

If you get sick, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Fairfield Department of Health recommend you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from spreading the infection for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. 

H1N1 SYMPTOMS: The symptoms of this flu in people to date are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza, which includes high fever, muscle aches, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with H1N1 flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 

HOME CARE GUIDELINES: The Fairfield Department of Health recommends following the CDC guidelines on how to care for someone who is ill with influenza. These guidelines also instruct the caregiver on how to protect themselves and others. This information is available on the CDC website, www.cdc.gov. 

H1N1 QUESTIONS: If you have questions about H1N1 flu, please check the CDC website, www.cdc.gov  or call the Ohio Department of Health information phone line – 1-866-800-1404 which is staffed from 8 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday and includes Spanish speaking operators.