H1N1 Mass Vaccination Planning

This page is archived for historical purposes and is no longer being maintained or updated.

What is the H1N1 Mass Vaccination Campaign?

It is a mass vaccination campaign to protect the community against the H1N1 aka "Swine Flu," particularly in the upcoming flu season.

It is a two stage program that will provide influenza vaccination, on a voluntary basis, to Floridians.

Additional Information:
General H1N1 Swine Flu Q & A
General H1N1 Swine Flu Q & A - Spanish Version

Who will be doing this mass vaccination?

The Health Department is the lead for this emergency response, working closely with Charlotte County Office of Emergency Management.

We will meet the needs of our community with partner and volunteer assistance. That’s you! People from the community can help in this effort.

When is this supposed to happen?

• The estimated time table for the campaign to begin is early October. However, planning activities are currently underway.

• The start date depends on availability of the vaccine

• The entire campaign can last anywhere from 1.5 – 6 months

• A first dose is provided followed by a second dose not less than 28 days later

  Interested in Helping? Become a Volunteer!

  
  

Unlike the seasonal flu vaccine, the vaccination for H1N1 is free to community individuals as well as all medical providers.

How are you going to get this done?

• We will work with Emergency Management under the Incident Command System (nationally recognized organization structure utilized in cases of emergency response by all participating agencies)
• We will continue to work closely with partners in the community (City and County government, Fire/EMS, School Board, businesses, and etc.)
• We will have Point of Dispensing Teams that will deploy to pre-identified locations
• Three Approaches:
  o Drive Thru Clinics
  o Walk-In Clinics
  o Mobile Clinic Teams
  

In order to prepare and plan for this Mass Vaccination Campaign, Charlotte CHD has:

• Brought an additional planner on board
• Worked on crucial data collection
• Distributed a partner survey to call community partners and a medical provider survey
  o Compile, review, analyze and organize information for future action steps
• Continue ongoing surveillance for spikes in illness
  o Act as a Q&A resource for community and provider phone calls
• Distribute CDC updates to medical providers
• Engage in Operational & logistical planning
• Create a budget plan for the project to ensure the entire community is cost effectively reached
• Work with the school board to implement Fit-testing program for their nurses and engage in planning initiatives
  

What can I do to help?

• You can always volunteer to help in this effort. Please visit our volunteer page to sign up for more information
• Help us with rumor control by visiting CharlotteCHD.com to get the most current, up-to-date and correct information.
• Stay home when your sick
• Keeping washing your hands
• Cover up when you sneeze or cough
• Help spread the word by visiting our H1N1 Resource page

When am I getting vaccinated?

H1N1 vaccine is available now in limited quantities for people in target groups. Greater availability is expected in the coming weeks. The Charlotte County Health Department is targeting priority the groups recommended by the CDC to receive the H1N1 (Swine) Flu vaccines first. These include in no specific order:

• Pregnant 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
• Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza.

The Charlotte County Health Department is working hard to ensure the most vulnerable of our population have the opportunity to be vaccinated. We are accomplishing this through partnering with our local pediatricians, obstetricians, hospitals, fire and EMS, and schools and daycares.

As more vaccines become available and our target populations are vaccinated, the Charlotte County Health Department will begin holding public drive-thru and walk-in clinics at strategic sites throughout the county. Local media will be alerted of dates and times as clinic schedules are established. Please check our website often for updated information.