Holmes County H1N1 vaccination update

H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine to be Administered

The Holmes County Health Department will be administering the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine for five local schools. The H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine will be given to the Ponce de Leon Community on November 16 at the Ponce de Leon Elementary School from 5 p.m.- 8p.m. This includes the students from both Ponce de Leon Elementary School and Ponce de Leon High School. The H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine will be given to the Bonifay Community on November 17, 19, and 23 at the Holmes County High School from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. This includes the students from Bonifay Elementary School, Bonifay Middle School, GAP, and Holmes County High School.

Please note: The health department will be administering the vaccines to students and family members who meet the criteria listed below. The vaccine is free and voluntary.

Criteria for vaccination with the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine are as follows:

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that people ages 6 months to 24 years; people 25-64 years who are pregnant or who have certain medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease, diabetes, weakened immune systems, blood disorders, neurologic or neuromuscular disease, and other illnesses; parents and caregivers of children less than 6 months of age; and healthcare workers and emergency personnel be considered the highest priority groups for initial vaccination (See: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm

If you have any questions you may call your private provider or the Holmes County Health Department @ 547-8500. You may also access the health department’s web site @ www.holmeschd.com. For further information regarding the Swine Flu you may call the Florida Information Line @ 1-877-352-3581 or go to www.myflusafety.com.