10/28/2009 6:30:00 AM Phone bank provides answers to flu questions
Special to the Review
Yavapai County Community Health Services (YCCHS) established a phone bank manned by volunteers to answer questions related to H1N1 flu pandemic. For six years, YCCHS has had a volunteer pool called the Medical Reserve Corps (MRC). The MRC volunteers include medical personnel as well as volunteers who can offer clerical support, provide assistance with inventory control of supplies and traffic and crowd control at a major event such as the H1N1mass immunization clinics being held by YCCHS.
Due to the high volume of calls YCCHS is receiving regarding H1N1, a H1N1 phone bank was set up and has been in operation for over a week. The majority of the callers are asking questions about the availability of flu vaccine and where and when they can be immunized. The vaccine production has been slower than anticipated, however the vaccine will be coming to the county in regular shipments and it is anticipated that there will be enough vaccine to eventually vaccinate everyone interested in receiving the vaccine. Due to the slow production, YCCHS may temporarily run out of the vaccine which may cause cancellation of clinics. The YCCHS H1N1 mass vaccination clinics scheduled for October will be targeting the priority risk groups recommended by the Centers for Disease Control due to their high risk of complications from flu. The risk groups are as follows:
• Pregnant women because they are at higher risk of complications and being vaccinated can potentially provide protection to infants who cannot be vaccinated;
• Household contacts and caregivers for children younger than 6 months of age because younger infants are at higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with infants younger than 6 months old might help protect infants by "cocooning" them from the virus;
• Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel because infections among healthcare workers have been reported and this can be a potential source of infection for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
• All people from 6 months through 24 years of age since H1N1 has proven to be a young persons flu;
• Children from 6 months through 18 years of age because cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in children who are in close contact with each other in school and day care settings, which increases the likelihood of disease spread, and
• Young adults 19 through 24 years of age because many cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza have been seen in these healthy young adults and they often live, work, and study in close proximity, and they are a frequently mobile population.
• In November, immunization clinics will focus on the next risk group which is persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions that put them at higher risk of medical complications from influenza. Persons with the following conditions:
• Disorders that can compromise respiratory function or the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk for aspiration.
People interested in volunteering, you can join Yavapai County's MRC by going to www.yavapaihealth.com , or you can e-mail mrc@co.yavapai.az.us or call (928)442-5279 in Prescott or (928)639-8100 ext. 5279 in the Verde Valley.
Information on H1N1 flu virus, vaccine, immunization consent forms are all available at www.yavapaihealth.com . You can also call the YCCHS flu line at 442-5613 in the Prescott area.
