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H1N1 vaccinations going smoothly, state health director says

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 5:45 PM Thursday, November 5, 2009

People at the highest risk to contract the H1N1 virus across the state should all be vaccinated within the next two weeks, according to Ohio’s top health official.

Dr. Alvin Jackson, director of the Ohio Department of Health, visited the Warren County Health Department, Thursday, Nov. 5, as part of a state-wide tour of health facilities to discuss concerns and procedures in the distribution of the H1N1 vaccine.

“Around the state, scarcity (of the virus) has been a concern,” Jackson said. “We are trying to work through those issues and address the concerns.”

Jackson praised the state, saying it was doing a good job in distributing the limited quantities of the vaccine available to the public. He said he hoped to have the most at-risk portions of Ohio’s population vaccinated within two weeks if the production and distribution of the vaccine remains at projected levels.

At-risk portions of the population include pregnant woman, children, caretakers of children, and EMS and medical personnel.

In Warren County, children at schools in Waynesville, Mason, Carlisle and Springboro have been given the vaccine, according to Duane Stansbury, Warren County’s health commissioner. Stansbury said his department had also been working with OB/GYN offices to deliver the vaccine to expectant mothers.

Jackson said his goal was to create alertness and vigilance about the virus without inducing a panic. He advised people to continue to practice good hygiene including washing their hands, stay at home if they do feel sick and to get the vaccine when it becomes available.

A Springboro boy is the only reported death from H1N1 virus in Warren County. So far, 22 people state-wide have died from the virus, Jackson said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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Relating to this issue, I have heard that the vaccination drive will be prioritizing the pregnant women and children under 6 years old, is this true?
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Hydroponics
11:11 AM, 11/6/2009

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That is a good news. I hope it will continue doing like that.

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4:40 AM, 11/6/2009

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