High-risk groups will be a priority for distribution
Lehigh Valley, Pa. (Oct. 21, 2009) – Lehigh Valley Health Network has begun to receive H1N1 flu vaccine. The vaccine will be distributed in a variety of ways to high risk patients of the Network--including through private practice physicians--and to health care workers who are identified at high risk of contracting H1N1.
The high risk groups include pregnant women, children at high risk, and health care workers according to the guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
All of the vaccine provided by LVHN will be given in the form of a shot (no nasal spray).
“We want to make sure that those at greatest risk of contracting H1N1 are protected,” said Luther Rhodes, M.D., chief, Lehigh Valley Health Network’s division of infectious diseases. “By vaccinating those in our community who are most vulnerable to H1N1 based on the history of the virus, we hope to keep them healthy as well as to limit the spread of the flu to others.”
Dr. Rhodes says that is also why it is important to vaccinate health care workers, especially those caring for high risk patients. “Focusing first on health care workers who have frequent contact with patients at greatest risk for H1N1 will help to protect those patients from contracting the flu and further compromising their health.” In addition, Rhodes said, health care workers who themselves are at high risk should be vaccinated.
Dr. Rhodes says the high risk groups also are a priority because supplies of the vaccine currently are limited. He said public health and other health care organizations in the community also are beginning to receive the H1N1 vaccine. He is encouraging those in the high risk categories to contact their health care provider or community health department about vaccination opportunities.
For those who are not included in the high risk groups and unable to receive the H1N1 vaccine at this time, Dr. Rhodes recommends following standard infection control practices to prevent the spread of the disease, including:
Practicing hand hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also are effective.
Practicing cough etiquette: Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, or use a shoulder or crook of the elbow. Throw away the tissue in the trash after use, and wash hands
Practicing social distancing if you are ill: If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, stay home from work or school and limit your contact with others, including family members, to keep from infecting them. If you contract a flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home until 24 hours after symptoms subside.
Seeking medical attention: If you are ill with flu-like symptoms, contact your family physician. Unless you feel your illness is an emergency, do not go to the Emergency Department so that you can avoid spreading the illness to others.
Lehigh Valley Health Network includes three hospital facilities - two in Allentown and one in Bethlehem, Pa.; eight health centers caring for communities in four counties; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices throughout the region; pharmacy, imaging and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes trauma care at the region’s busiest, most-experienced trauma center treating adults and children, burn care at the regional Burn Center, kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, and neurology and complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Primary Stroke Center. Lehigh Valley Health Network has been recognized by US News & World Report for 14 consecutive years as one of America’s Best Hospitals and is a national Magnet hospital for excellence in nursing. Additional information is available at lvhn.org and by following us on facebook.com/LVHN and twitter.com/LVHNnews.
