2 free H1N1 (Swine Flu) vaccination clinics
Collin County is sponsoring two free vaccination clinics at area high schools for those still looking to get added protection from the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus. These are the last planned community vaccination clinics for this vaccine.
Saturday, Feb. 6, Collin County Health Care Services and Collin County Homeland Security will team up with volunteer members of the county’s Medical Reserve Corps for a free clinic at Farmersville High School 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the high school is located at 499 Highway 78 North, Farmersville, TX, 75442. No appointments are necessary, and the clinic is open to everyone.
Then, on Saturday, Feb. 13, our folks will open up a clinic at Wylie High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2550 West FM 544, Wylie, TX, 75098. Again, the clinic is open to everyone, walk-ins are welcome, so no appointments are necessary.
For more information about the clinics, please contact Pamela Nishimoto, Public Outreach Educator, at 214-491-6855.
For more details about the vaccine itself, please visit the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) website.
January 5, 2010: HEALTH ADVISORY: Collin County Health Care Services Reports 1st H1N1 Flu-Related Death
Collin County Health Care Services reports that a 28-year-old Collin County resident who died recently was infected with H1N1 flu. The male had underlying medical conditions. In order to comply with federal privacy laws, Collin County Health Care Services cannot provide additional identifying information.
The threat of H1N1 influenza remains as we continue through the flu season. The public is urged to get vaccinated, either by their primary physician, at a free H1N1 clinic Collin County is offering Saturday, January 16th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Anna High School - 1201 North Powell Parkway, or at one of 68 locations partnering with Collin County Health Care Services to provide H1N1 vaccine.
For further information regarding local H1N1 vaccine availability, the public may utilize the following resources: Collin County website at http://www.co.collin.tx.us/ and Collin County Facebook and Twitter sites; Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Texas Flu Vaccine Locator at http://www.Texasflu.org; DSHS H1N1 information lines available by calling “2-1-1”; or, calling Collin County Health Care Services at (972) 548-5500.
Dec. 16, 2009: HEALTH ADVISORY: Non-Safety Related Voluntary Recall of H1N1 Vaccine
(McKINNEY, Texas) – Collin County Health Care Services has not distributed any of the pediatric H1N1 vaccine affected by the non-safety related voluntary recall by manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. During recent routine quality assurance testing, Sanofi Pasteur found four lots of single-dose, pre-filled syringe pediatric (0.25mL) vaccine with antigen content slightly lower than required potency levels. These doses were distributed in November to health care providers and are intended for children 6-35 months of age. Providers are being asked to return any affected vaccine to the manufacturer.
There are no safety concerns with the four recalled lots of 2009 H1N1 pediatric vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are in agreement that there are no safety concerns for children who have received this vaccine, and there is no need to re-administer a dose to a child who received vaccine from these lots. The non-safety related voluntary recall is only due to vaccine potency being slightly below the “specified” range. The vaccine in these lots is still expected to be effective in stimulating a protective response despite this slight reduction in the concentration of antigen. All lots successfully passed pre-release testing for purity, potency and safety.
All children less than 10 years old should get the recommended two doses of 2009 H1N1 vaccine approximately 28 days apart for the optimal immune response. Therefore, children less than 10 years old who have only received one dose of vaccine should still receive a second dose of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. Parents of children who received vaccine from the recalled lots do not need to take any action, other than to complete the two-dose immunization series if not already completed. When feasible, the same type of vaccine (inactivated, injectable; or live, attenuated, nasal spray vaccine) should be used, mixed schedules however, are preferable to not completing the series.
Collin County individuals are encouraged to get vaccinated prior to holiday travel, either by their primary physician or by one of the 68 vaccine locations partnering with Collin County Health Care Services. For further information regarding local H1N1 vaccine availability, the public may utilize the following resources: the Collin County website at http://www.co.collin.tx.us/ and the Collin County Facebook and Twitter sites; the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Texas Flu Vaccine Locator at http://www.Texasflu.org; call the DSHS H1N1 information lines available by calling “2-1-1”; or, call the Collin County Health Care Services at (972) 548-5500.
HEALTH ADVISORY: H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Offered to All Collin County Residents
Beginning Monday, December 7th, Collin County will be offering H1N1 vaccine to all Collin County residents.
Since receiving vaccine, Collin County has followed the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), offering the vaccine only to specific target groups while vaccine was in limited availability. However, vaccine is now widely available in both public and private sectors throughout Collin County and will be made accessible to all residents who desire to be vaccinated.
Collin County individuals are encouraged to get vaccinated prior to holiday travel, as some areas are more severely affected by the H1N1 virus than Collin County.
There are currently 66 provider locations who have partnered with Collin County in order to facilitate ease of access to the vaccine for residents. Residents may receive the H1N1 vaccine for no charge, while supplies last at: Children & Community Health Center of McKinney, Collin County Adult Clinic in Plano; Express Health in McKinney; PrimaCare locations in Frisco, McKinney, Plano and west Plano. Additionally, 59 locations throughout Collin County currently providing H1N1 vaccinations for an administration fee include: Celina Drug; Texas Star Pharmacy; four Care Now locations; seven Albertsons Pharmacies; 11 Tom Thumb Pharmacies; 13 Kroger Pharmacies; and 22 Walgreens Pharmacies.
November 25, 2009
Contact: Pamela Nishimoto, Public Outreach Educator, (214)491-6855
HEALTH ADVISORY: H1N1 Influenza Vaccine
Collin County Health Care Services has received a total of 15,100 doses of H1N1 influenza vaccine. Doses have been, and are being, distributed to: area hospitals, emergency medical workers, first responders, shelter populations, community clinics, and local area pharmacies. Each location is providing vaccine to individuals in the high-risk populations identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) as priority groups for the H1N1 vaccine. All individuals in these high-risk groups, listed in no particular order, are encouraged to get the H1N1 vaccine:
· Pregnant women;
· Children from 6 months through 4 years of age;
· Household contacts and caregivers for infants younger than 6 months of age;
· Health care and emergency medical services personnel; and,
· People 5 years through 64 years of age with health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
Collin County individuals in the above listed DSHS high-risk groups are encouraged to check with their local medical provider to see if they have H1N1 vaccine available. Additionally, they may receive the H1N1 vaccine for no charge - while supplies last - at specified contracted locations, or for a fee at regional pharmacies. There are currently a total of 39 locations throughout Collin County providing H1N1 vaccinations to the DSHS high-risk groups, including:
· Children & Community Health Center of McKinney
120 S. Central Expressway #106
McKinney, Texas 75070
(972)547-0606
Hours of Operation: By Appointment
Serving: Ages 6 months to 64 years
Vaccine Available: Injectables
Fee: No charge to high-risk groups
Website: www.cchc-vim.org
· Collin County Adult Clinic - Plano
2520 K Avenue
Plano, Texas 75074
(972)423-4941
Hours of Operation:
Saturday, November 28, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM;
Monday, November 30, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM;
Tuesday, December 1, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM;
Wednesday, December 2, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM;
Saturday, December 5, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Serving: Ages 6 months to 64 years
Vaccine Available: Intranasal Mist, Injectables, Preservative-free
Fee: No charge to high-risk groups
Website: www.collincountyadultclinic.org
· Express Health – McKinney
1505 Harroun Street, Suite C
McKinney, Texas 75070
(972)548-2722
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Serving: Ages 6 months to 64 years
Vaccine Available: Intranasal Mist, Injectables, Preservative-free
Fee: No charge to high-risk groups
Website: www.expresshealthnow.com
· PrimaCare – McKinney
1920 W. Eldorado Parkway
McKinney, Texas 75069
(469)952-3737
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Serving: Ages 6 months to 64 years
Vaccine Available: Intranasal Mist, Injectables, Preservative-free
Fee: No charge to high-risk groups
Website: www.primacare.com
· PrimaCare – Plano
3304 Alma Drive
Plano, Texas 75023
(972)424-6581
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Serving: Ages 6 months to 64 years
Vaccine Available: Intranasal Mist, Injectables, Preservative-free
Fee: No charge to high-risk groups
Website: www.primacare.com
· Texas Star Pharmacy
3033 W. Parker Road, #100
Plano Texas 75023
(972)665-3129
Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM; Saturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Serving: Ages 6 months to 64 years
Vaccine Available: Intranasal Mist, Injectables, Preservative-free
Fee: $19
Website: www.pharmaciesplano.com
· Tom Thumb Pharmacies - All Collin County locations
Hours of Operation: Varies by location
Serving: Ages 8 to 64 years
Vaccine Available: Injectables
Fee: $15
Website: www.tomthumb.com
· Walgreens Pharmacies - All Collin County locations
Hours of Operation: Varies by location
Serving: Ages 8 to 64 years
Vaccine Available: Injectables
Fee: $18
Website: www.walgreens.com/marketing/storelocator/find.jsp
Due to the limited vaccine supply nationally, the CDC and DSHS have recommended that specific high-risk target groups receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine first. Once the demand for vaccine for these target groups has been met, the CDC and DSHS will target additional priority groups and later the general population. Collin County is currently developing strategic plans to best serve the public’s health needs as future doses of H1N1 vaccine becomes available. Once vaccine is received, these plans will be implemented with H1N1 vaccine distributed countywide to serve high-risk groups identified by the CDC and DSHS.
To date, private providers in Collin County have received approximately 96,135 doses of H1N1 vaccine. Individuals in high-risk priority groups are encouraged to contact their local health care provider to arrange for H1N1 vaccination appointments or seek services from one of the locations listed above.
To protect against the spread of illness, follow these everyday actions:
· Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue in the trash after use. No tissue available? - Cough into sleeve.
· Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
· Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are easily spread from person to person or person to surfaces due to first touching the eyes, nose or mouth.
· Stay home when sick. CDC recommends sick individuals stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to avoid spreading infection.
For further information regarding H1N1 vaccine availability, the public is encouraged to utilize the following resources: Collin County website at http://www.co.collin.tx.us/ and the Collin County Facebook and Twitter sites; the DSHS Texas Flu Vaccine Locator at http://www.Texasflu.org; call the DSHS H1N1 information lines available by calling “2-1-1”; or, call the Collin County Health Care Services at (972) 548-5500.
Collin County includes all, or portions of the following communities: Allen, Anna, Blue Ridge, Carrollton, Celina, Copeville, Dallas, Fairview, Farmersville, Frisco, Garland, Josephine, Lavon, Lowry Crossing, Lucas, McKinney, Melissa, Murphy, Nevada, New Hope, Parker, Plano, Princeton, Prosper, Richardson, Royse City, Sachse, Saint Paul, Van Alstyne, Weston, Wylie.
