College students are at high risk for H1N1 influenza and should be vaccinated against the virus, Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Alvin D. Jackson, M.D., said today.
“I urge all college students to get the H1N1 vaccine over the holiday break or sooner if they have not already received it,” Jackson said. “Because of their age and sometimes close living conditions, students are considered high-risk individuals and are eligible for this vaccine.”
Nearly 2.3 million doses of H1N1 vaccine have been delivered to Ohio and ODH plans to order more doses as they become available each week.
Because of limited supplies, H1N1 vaccine is being restricted to all people 6 months to 24 years; people 25 to 64 with chronic health conditions; people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months; pregnant women; and health care and EMS workers who provide direct patient care.
While vaccine provides the greatest protection against H1N1 flu, other measures are also helpful and effective. They include: washing hands frequently, or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available; covering coughs and sneezes with tissue, or coughing or sneezing into sleeves; avoiding touching your eyes, noses and mouths; and staying home when sick and until fever free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medication.
Students who live or go to school in Ohio can check vaccine availability on the ODH Web site at http://www.flu.ohio.gov or by calling the ODH H1N1 information line at 1-866-800-1404 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Out-of-state students can also receive the vaccine in their home state and are encourage to check http://www.flu.gov or contact their state or local health department for information on vaccine availability.
Columbus, Ohio —
