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| FREE H1N1 flu vaccine available Feb 25 and 26 2010 - Monday, February 22, 2010
PRESS RELEASE-H1N1 flu shots available
February 25th and 26th
H1N1 flu shots are available to everyone, any age, FREE at the Beltrami County Health and Human Services Family Health Clinic at 616 America Ave., Suite 130, Bemidji, this Thursday, February 25 and Friday February 26 from 8:00am - 4:00pm.
Children under 18 years must have their parent or guardian accompany them. If you have questions, please call the flu hotline at 333-8145 or 333-8140.
Mrs. Beryl Wernberg, 911 Communications Supervisor/
Emergency Management Director
Beltrami County
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| BAN THE BUG - H1N1 availability Jan 8 2010 - Friday, January 08, 2010The MN FLU LINE remains open and staffed at 1-866-259-4655 for any and all questions related to H1N1.
PRESS RELEASE-Ban the Bug Clinic – H1N1 vaccine available Jan 8 2010
Ban the Bug Clinic Scheduled It is not too late to get influenza vaccination
Beltrami County Health & Human Services will hold a Ban the Bug Influenza Vaccination Clinic on Monday, Jan 11 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at 616 America Ave., Suite 130, Bemidji. Flu shots will continue to be available after this date through Beltrami County Health as long as supplies last. The clinic is being held in conjunction with the statewide Ban the Bug Campaign, an effort to encourage Minnesotans to get vaccinated against H1N1 and seasonal influenza.
“It’s a great time to get vaccinated against seasonal or H1N1 influenza,” said Darice Dwyer, public health nurse with Beltrami County Health & Human Services. “The Ban the Bug Campaign seeks to remind people that there is still time to protect themselves against influenza.”
H1N1flu vaccinations are open to everyone. H1N1 vaccinations are free at Beltrami County Health & Human Services. A flu vaccination is especially recommended for ppregnant women, household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, all people from 6 months through 24 years of age and people 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.
Seasonal influenza vaccinations can benefit anyone wishing to avoid illness, are open for everyone, and are especially recommended for children who are 6 months through 18 years of age, people 50 and older, people of any age with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, persons living with or caring for those at high risk for complications from influenza, and healthcare workers. Seasonal influenza vaccination costs $7.00 for children, $22.00 for adults, and is free to those with Medicare Part B or a Minnesota Health Care program at Beltrami County Health.
A nominal administrative fee may be charged at some locations for both H1N1 and seasonal influenza shots. For more information about Flu Vaccinations or the Ban the Bug Clinic, call the Beltrami County Flu Hotline at 218-333-8145 or Beltrami County Health & Human Services, Family Health at 333-8140.
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| MEDIA OUTLETS AIRING H1N1 information spots - Wednesday, November 18, 2009
| Call Letters |
City |
Returned Agreement |
| KRWF-TV 43/27 |
Redwood Falls |
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| KSAX-TV 42/36 |
Alexandria |
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| KAAL-TV 6/33 |
Austin |
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| KSMQ TV 15/20 |
Austin |
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| TV3 (Cable) |
Detroit Lakes |
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| KBJR TV |
Duluth |
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| KDLH TV |
Duluth |
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| KMSP-TV 9/26 |
Minneapolis-St. Paul |
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| WFTC TV 29/21 |
Minneapolis-St. Paul |
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| KEYC - TV 12/38 |
Mankato |
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| NEYC - TV |
Mankato |
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| KSTC TV 45/44 |
Minneapolis-St. Paul |
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| KSTP TV 5/50 |
Minneapolis-St. Paul |
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| KTCA TV 2/34 |
Minneapolis-St. Paul |
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| KTCI TV 17/16 |
Minneapolis-St. Paul |
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| WUCW TV 23/22 |
Minneapolis-St. Paul |
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| KTTC TV |
Rochester |
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| CORRECTION - FLU HOTLINE NUMBER - Sunday, November 08, 2009
The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management distributed a press release on Friday, November 6th, 2009 updating our citizens on the progress of the flu, particularly novel H1N1. In that press release the phone number was inadvertently misprinted. The correct number for the Minnesota Flu Hotline is 1-866-259-4655. This number is staffed 24/7 and available to provide help and advice to anyone at anytime it is needed regarding flu symptoms, vaccines, and other related issues.
Again, the correct phone number for the Minnesota Flu Hotline is 1-866-259-4655.
We apologize for any confusion this may have caused our citizens.
Christopher Muller
Assistant Emergency Management Director / 911Communications Team Leader
Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office
Law Enforcement Center
613 Minnesota Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
chris.muller@co.beltrami.mn.us
ph.218-333-8386 |
| Press Release #5 November 6 2009 Weekly Update from Community Health Partners - Friday, November 06, 2009
PRESS RELEASE #5 – FLU UPDATES November 6, 2009
The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management, in conjunction with our Community Health Partners to include the Merit Care Clinics, North Country Hospital, Beltrami County Health and Human Services, as well as other members, wishes to remind our citizens of the toll-free 24/7 FluLine which is a fully staffed hotline that can provide help and advice to anyone at anytime it is needed regarding flu symptoms, vaccines and other related issues. We encourage the public to call this number, 1-866-259-4655. This will help to lessen the load and impact of many lines ringing in our local medical facilities while they are caring for patients. Your help is needed in this matter. The 800 line is staffed with qualified nurses who are trained to provide answers to your questions.
In addition, we would like to remind the public that Flu Mist is available. North Country Health Services physician, Dr. Bob Rutka stated, during our weekly Health partners meeting today, “The flu mist or the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine is as safe, and in some ways better, than the injectable. There are significant shortages of the injectable and we are encouraging people to take advantage of the flu mist”. Either call the 800 number to find where Flu Mist is located or go to the web site www.flu.gov and click on FIND A FLU SHOT. It will provide up-to-date information on where Flu Mist is available. Other flu factoids and questions for today:
` How do we know the H1N1 vaccine is safe?
The H1N1 flu vaccine is just like the yearly (seasonal) flu vaccine, which is reformulated every year to protect against new flu viruses. This one just happens to be formulated to protect against H1N1 novel flu. It’s manufactured using the same process and facilities. It is in no way “experimental.”
As they do each year with “seasonal” flu vaccine, the federal government is taking precautions to ensure the vaccine is safe for both children and adults, including pregnant women. The U.S. Centers for Disease control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health will also be closely monitoring for any side effect associated with the vaccine.
Being vaccinated against novel H1N1 vaccine doesn’t carry any greater risk than being vaccinated against seasonal flu. The two vaccines are manufactured in exactly the same way. They are just formulated to protect against different flu viruses. Otherwise, the two types of flu vaccine are identical – and the seasonal vaccine has a long history of safe use.
Can you get H1N1 flu from the vaccine?
No. The virus in your H1N1 flu shot will be inactivated (killed), so it cannot cause the disease. If you get the vaccine in nasal spray form (“FluMist”), the virus will be alive but weakened, so it can’t grow in the lungs and cause illness.
It’s easy to get the impression that you may have gotten the flu in the past after getting your flu shot. Flu vaccinations are usually done at the same time of year when colds and other viruses are circulating, so it’s easy to mistake something else for the flu shot. Some people also get a mild fever for a short time from the vaccine. None of this means you have gotten the flu from the vaccine. Repeated studies have shown that the live nasal vaccine will not cause illness.
Should I get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 if I have had flu-like illness since the Spring of 2009?
The symptoms of influenza (flu-like illnesses) are similar to those caused by many other viruses. Even when influenza viruses are causing large numbers of people to get sick, other viruses are also causing illnesses. Specific testing, called “RT-PCR test,” is needed in order to tell if an illness is caused by a specific influenza strain or by some other virus. This test is different from rapid flu tests that doctors can do in their offices. Since most people with flu-like illnesses will not be tested with RT-PCR this season, the majority will not know whether they have been infected with 2009 H1N1 flu or a different virus.
Therefore, if you were ill but do not know if you had 2009 H1N1 infection, you should get vaccinated, if your doctor recommends it. So, most people recommended for 2009 H1N1 vaccination should be vaccinated with the 2009 H1N1 vaccine regardless of whether they had a flu-like illness earlier in the year. If you have had 2009 H1N1 flu, as confirmed by an RT-PCR test, you should have some immunity against 2009 H1N1 flu and can choose not to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine. However, vaccination of a person with some existing immunity to the 2009 H1N1 virus will not be harmful. The2009 H1N1 influenza infection or vaccination will not provide protection against seasonal influenza. All people who want protection from seasonal flu should still get their seasonal influenza vaccine.
In conclusion for this week’s update, stay healthy and remember to call the 1-866-259-4655 if you have questions.
Some of the best advice we have heard during this season is the following: “There’s no place like home when you have the flu.” Protect others and take care of yourselves.
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| North Country Hospital and Health Services Flu Poster - Tuesday, November 03, 2009
There’s no place like home when you have the flu.
Most people with the flu (H1N1) do not need medical treatment.
Symptoms for both the seasonal flu and H1N1 include:
Fever (100º F or greater) Cough Body aches Headache
Stay home and avoid contact with other people, unless your condition worsens (see the guidelines for seeking medical care below). If you are not in a high-risk group, you are likely to recover at home without medical care.
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WHAT CAN I DO?
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Stay home and rest
• Take Tylenol and/or Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil)
• Drink plenty of clear liquids
• Cover your cough
• Wash your hands frequently
• Stay home for at least 24 hours after fever is gone
• Trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Dehydration—not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting lasting more than 36 hours
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Severe pain or pressure in chest or stomach
• In a high-risk group
o Pregnant or have a child less than six months old
o Less than 5-years-old
o Have a chronic disease such as a lung disease
If you have further questions, please contact one of the numbers listed below.
- MN State FluLine: 1-866-259-4655
- Minnesota Department of Health: 1-800-657-3903 (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F)
- Centers for Disease Control: 1-800-232-4636 TTY: 1-888-232-6348 (24 hours/day)
- Beltrami County Public Health Nurses: 1-218-333-8140
- Beltrami County flu hotline: 1-218-333-8145
WHEN SHOULD I SEEK MEDICAL CARE?
1300 Anne St NW • Bemidji MN 56601 |
 | North Country Hospital H1N1 fact sheet - Tuesday, November 03, 2009 |
| North Country Hospital Visitor Policy - Tuesday, November 03, 2009
NORTH COUNTRY REGIONAL HOSPITAL REMINDS YOU THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF COLD AND FLU SEASON AND ASK THAT YOU REFRAIN FROM VISITING PATIENTS IF YOU HAVE ANY INFLUENZA LIKE SYMPTOMS. IF YOUR TEMPERATURE IS GREATER THAN 100 DEGREES, YOU ARE COUGHING, HAVE BODY ACHES OR HEADACHE, PLEASE DO NOT VISIT THE HOSPITAL. YOU MAY EXPOSE PATIENTS OR OTHER VISITORS AND PATIENTS ARE TYPICALLY VERY SUSCEPTIBLE AND AT GREAT RISK FOR COMPLICATIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN PROTECTING YOUR LOVED ONES. FROM NORTH COUNTRY HEALTH SERVICES, CARING WITH PRIDE, SERVING WITH EXCELLENCE. |
| Press Release #4 October 30 2009 - Saturday, October 31, 2009
PRESS RELEASE-UPDATES on H1N1 vaccinations and staffed FluLine
The Beltrami County Community Health Team is continuing our flu efforts. Here is an important announcement regarding vaccinations:
. Children ages 6 months to 4 years old, pregnant women, and children age 5-18 years with chronic medical conditions may get an H1N1 vaccination, while supplies last.
These vaccinations will be in the form of a Flu Spray or a shot, depending on your special need.
If you qualify as one of the above listed groups, report to your regular doctor’s office (any of the Meritcare Clinics or Physicians Clinic in our county have supplies) and sign in at the Registration Desk.
In addition, Beltrami County Health and Human Services is offering Flu Mist for H1N1 to all Health Care Workers and Day Care Providers. Flu mist or flu shots are available at this location for children 6 months-4 years old. Also, seasonal flu shots for children 6 months to 3 years old are available. All are being offered while supplies last. You may access these vaccinations at Public Health- 616 America Ave. NW, Suite 130 in Bemidji on Monday’s 8:00 am-4:00 pm with no appointment.
We also want to stress how important it is that you call the MN FluLine at 1-866-259-4655 if you or family members are ill. They are staffed 24/7 and have several avenues of support for available for our citizens. Other recorded information is on the County flu line 333-8145.
Here are signs and symptoms that require immediate medical attention:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Bluish or gray skin color
- Not able to drink enough fluids
- Severe or persistent vomiting
- Not waking up or lethargy
- Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Sudden dizziness
- Confusion
- Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough
We hope all our citizens will follow guidelines and stay as healthy as possible. Thank you.
Beryl Wernberg, Beltrami Co Emergency Management/Health Public Information Officer |
| North Country Health Services - Saturday, October 24, 2009 |
 | Bemidji School district website with flu information - Saturday, October 24, 2009 |
| H1N1 updated announcements - Wednesday, October 21, 2009
PRESS RELEASE – Update on vaccinations and H1N1 information
Our Community Health Preparedness Team continues to update our plans and response to the need for vaccinations and information for our citizens regarding H1N1 vaccine and availability thereof.
We want to remind everyone that the H1N1 vaccinations will be staged by groups. In other words, the first supplies will be given to those most in need, which are children with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. We anticipate that limited supplies of vaccine for H1N1 will be arriving in another 10 days or so.
In addition, supplies will be arriving over a period of several weeks and we will be advising the public of the next round of vaccines that will be available and for whom. Please watch for our news releases and listen to the local news.
Citizens are encouraged to call the Beltrami County FLU HOT LINE at 333-8145 for information as well. For those of you with internet access go to the web site, http://www.health.state.mn.us and click on the FIND A FLU SHOT page. It will list all current locations of vaccination clinics. This is updated daily, along with current flu advisories. Again we cannot stress again the importance of staying home when ill, washing your hands and covering your cough.
Mrs. Beryl Wernberg, 911 Communications Supervisor/
Emergency Management Director
Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office
613 Minnesota Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
ADDITIONAL
To our media folks- (FYI to all others) here is some additional information we would like to add to the press release sent yesterday- just to clarify who should be preparing to get vaccinated, per type of vaccination:
Referenced yesterday in our press release were the particular groups that should be strongly considering obtaining the proper vaccinations. Here is the list of those groups:
SEASONAL vaccination/flu mist (per available supplies):
1. Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday
2. Pregnant women
3. People 50 years of age or older
4. People who live in nursing homes and long term care facilities
5. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu,
health care workers, household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age
H1N1 vaccination/flu mist (per available supplies):
1. Pregnant women/children with chronic health conditions
2. People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
3. Health Care and emergency medical personnel
4. People from ages 25-64 who are at high risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Again we want to stress that we will be disseminating additional information on the staging of the groups per availability of supplies. The seasonal flu vaccination is available. We are waiting on the supplies of H1N1. |
| UPDATE Tuesday October 20 2009 H1N1 - Tuesday, October 20, 2009
PRESS RELEASE – Update on vaccinations and H1N1 information
Our Community Health Preparedness Team continues to update our plans and response to the need for vaccinations and information for our citizens regarding H1N1 vaccine and availability thereof.
We want to remind everyone that the H1N1 vaccinations will be staged by groups. In other words, the first supplies will be given to those most in need, which are children with chronic medical conditions and pregnant women. We anticipate that limited supplies of vaccine for H1N1 will be arriving in another 10 days or so.
In addition, supplies will be arriving over a period of several weeks and we will be advising the public of the next round of vaccines that will be available and for whom. Please watch for our news releases and listen to the local news.
Citizens are encouraged to call the Beltrami County FLU HOT LINE at 333-8145 for information as well. For those of you with internet access go to the web site, http://www.health.state.mn.us and click on the FIND A FLU SHOT page. It will list all current locations of vaccination clinics. This is updated daily, along with current flu advisories. Again we cannot stress again the importance of staying home when ill, washing your hands and covering your cough.
Mrs. Beryl Wernberg, 911 Communications Supervisor/
Emergency Management Director
Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office
613 Minnesota Ave NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
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 | FIND A FLU SHOT CLINIC - Monday, October 19, 2009 |
 | UPDATES ON THE LATEST FLU INFORMATION - Friday, October 09, 2009 EXPLORE THIS SITE TO FIND A FLU SHOT LOCATION- TIPS FOR YOUR FAMILY AND OTHER UP TO DATE NEWS read more ... |
| PRESS RELEASE Friday October 9 2009 - Friday, October 09, 2009
PRESS RELEASE- Update on Flu Planning and Guidelines
Our Community Health Partners, including Beltrami County Public Health, North Country Regional Hospital, Physicians Clinic, Merit Care Clinic and satellite clinics, Bemidji School District 31, as well as Beltrami County Emergency Management continue to meet and plan for the continued flu season. We would like to inform our citizens of the latest information available. Here are some good tips:
- Stay home from work or school if you are sick with symptoms of the flu and remain at home until 24 hours after your fever is gone without fever reducing medication. (Stricter guidelines apply to children or staff in day care settings or early education programs. They are asked to remain home until 7 days after their symptoms first appeared or 24 hours after their symptoms go away, whichever is longer.)
- Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly.
- Get vaccinated for both the seasonal and novel H1N1 virus as the vaccines become available. St. Joseph's Flu Hotline can give you an updated list of local flu vaccination sites and times.
A sick person should seek medical attention if they have one or more of the following conditions: (especially critical for children)
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
- Gray/blue lips or skin.
- A fever above 104º F (above 101º F for a child) that cannot be reduced.
- Severe or persistent coughing.
- A sign of dehydration.
- Has had a seizure.
- Is unable to move an arm or leg.
- Is confused or not waking up.
- Improves and then symptoms return.
Currently, routine testing for H1N1 will only be done on persons requiring hospitalization for influenza-like illness. In an effort to prevent transmission in healthcare settings, it is strongly recommended that persons with flu-like symptoms call and inform the clinic or hospital staff of their symptoms prior to their arrival.
Beryl Wernberg, Beltrami County Emergency Management Director |
| EDUCATION ON H1N1 for the public- www.echominnesota.org/H1N1 - Thursday, October 08, 2009 │ www.echominnesota.org Minnesota Public heath, clinics, hospitals, public safety, schools, emergency management, ethnic and non-profit agencies
RE: H1N1 INFO FOR
LIMITED ENGLISH SPEAKERS – PLEASE SHARE!
At the request of the Minnesota Department of Health, ECHO Minnesota produced a variety of print, broadcast (radio and
television), toll-free phone and web materials on H1N1 flu prevention and vaccination in 12 different languages for your
use and distribution. These
“Know what to do about H1N1 Flu” materials include:
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Radio and Television Public Service Announcements in 12 languages on each topic (48 total PSA’s)
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:30 PSA’s “Stay Home if You’re Sick” and “Cover Your Cough”
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:60 PSA’s “Get a Flu Shot” and “H1N1 Priority Groups”
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Toll Free Phone access to the above PSA’s on 888-883-8831 (Minnesota only)
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Printable copies of the above PSA’s available on ECHO Web
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CDC, WHO and other “official” sources featuring H1N1 multi-language materials
ECHO’s one-stop-shopping H1N1 web page (www.echominnesota.org/H1N1) with links to ECHO, MDH,web site: www.echominnesota.org/H1N1. With help from ECHO’s bi-lingual spokespersons, health/safety experts and 12 languages: Amharic, Arabic, English, Hmong,20 minute long televisionth (Spanish, Hmong, Somali) and 25th (Vietnamese, Lao and Khmer) at 7:00pm (check local listings for channel info).
This program is tailored to meet unique needs of limited-English speaking communities featuring ECHO’s experienced
bi-lingual spokespersons and health experts. It will also be downloadable from ECHO’s web site after the broadcast.
We recommend your agency circulate these materials to limited English audiences by linking to ECHO web, downloading
files to print, pass and play in your clinic, school, library, ethnic, health and safety agency.
or download materials are on our web site
Instructions for how to linkwww.echominnesota.org/h1n1/files/English/ECHO_H1N1_navigate.pdf.
ECHO Minnesota
ECHO
Emergency, Community and Health Outreach
TO:
read more ... |
| All Things Flu - Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Management wants our citizens to know that everything possible is being done to plan and prepare for any type of flu-like illness outbreaks in our community, should they occur. A Community Health Planning Group has been meeting for months and discussing various scenarios and planning needs.
The group is composed of our County Nursing Service, North Country Regional Hospital, public schools from kindergarten through college level, care facilities, various emergency response groups, the Beltrami County Emergency Operations Team and others, per appropriate subject. We have also collectively spent several years practicing for health crisis events as a county and regionally.
We would like to remind the public that the single most important task that should be practiced is to wash your hands after any contact with anyone. The good common sense approach is to use courtesy and not cough into others faces. Teach your kids, by your fine example, to do the same. The importance of staying home when ill with a fever until the fever has completely passed, and one no longer has to take fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours, is crucial to reducing the spread of the flu.
The flu season is upon us, which is usual for this time of year, and we all need to be vigilant in keeping good sanitary practices in place.
We will be issuing regular bulletins of any impacts the flu may be having on our communities along with any new messages regarding methods being taken to offset the effects of this on our population.
Remember the three C’s: Clean – Wash your hands; Cover – Cover your cough and sneeze; Contain – Contain your germs-stay home if you are sick. |
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