Planning for H1N1 in KFL&A

By Jeff Green

Who should get a flu shot?

Who should get a flu shot? Which flu shot? What about Tamiflu? Is H1N1 a serious problem, a real pandemic, or just a media-generated panic-demic?

As public health officials across the country have been struggling to learn more about the H1N1 virus and its pattern of transmission, the public has become increasingly confused.

There has been a steady flow of conflicting information about the H1N1 virus, and the fact that different strategies for combating the pandemic are being employed by various provincial healthcare systems in the country has not helped.

At an emergency-planning meeting in Sharbot Lake last week, the clear message was that the most relevant information for people in Frontenac and Lennox and Addington is coming from KFL&A Public Health.

Through their website, kflapublichealth.ca, and a 24-hour H1N1 hotline (613-549-5923), information is being updated on a daily basis.

One message that will not change is the basic advice for avoiding viruses, and it all starts with hand washing.

“Clean your hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub for 15 seconds,” is the first item on the website checklist.

The others are just as basic: urging people to stay home if they are sick, cover their mouths when coughing, etc.

At the meeting last week (October 1) representatives from KFL&A Public Health, the Sharbot Lake Family Health Team, social service agencies, fire and emergency services, as well as representatives from group homes and long-term care facilities, talked about how they plan to manage should 25-35% of their employees end up being off work due to the H1N1 virus.

Most public and private institutions are developing business continuity plans to deal with such eventualities.

The delivery of flu shots this fall was also discussed.

On September 24, Public Health announced that the vaccination programme would vary according to age this year. “KFL&A Public Health’s Immunization Program has lots of experience putting together community clinics across the KFL&A area—we’ve been immunizing our residents against seasonal influenza for years and through the universal influenza immunization program since 2000. This year is a bit different, in that some residents will get their seasonal influenza immunization first and some will get their Pandemic H1N1 influenza immunization first, but in the end all KFL&A area residents will get the protection they need against Pandemic H1N1 and seasonal influenza,” said Justin Chenier of KFL&A Public Health at the time.

The seasonal flu vaccine will be available this month, at free clinics in Sharbot Lake, Verona, Sydenham, Perth Road and Newburgh, only for seniors 65 and over.

The H1N1 vaccine, which is not available as of now, will be offered in November or December for people under the age of 65. In January of February, the seasonal vaccine might be delivered for the younger population.

This decision was based on observations that the flu is not as prevalent among the more elderly population as it is in younger people, which Public Health officials attribute to a flu outbreak in 1957. The theory is that that outbreak has given the older population some residual immunity to H1N1.

For people who develop flu symptoms, such as fevers, body aches and coughs, the message from Public Health and the family practice clinics in Frontenac County is to phone, don’t visit your family clinic, and try to ride the flu out at home.

The situation is different for people who develop respiratory difficulties from the flu, which can be dangerous. Immediate treatment may be required, and people are then advised to go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

As the pandemic develops over the fall, the role of family clinics may change, and plans are being put in place for various potential scenarios.