H1N1 Clinics

Between public clinics, family physicians, workplace occupational health and private nursing agencies, we estimate that more than half of the Capital Health district has been vaccinated so far. We encourage you to attend any of the following public H1N1 vaccination clinics in December, being held mostly in high schools throughout the Capital Health district. Students and staff can be vaccinated during the school day and the clinics are open to the general public during the hours listed below.

The pandemic is not over. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family. These clinics are open to all, but if you can't get to one, contact your family doctor, employer or nearest walk-in clinic.

Monday, December 7
Musquodoboit Rural High, 11980 Highway #224, Middle Musquodoboit 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Avon View High School, 225 Payzant Drive, Windsor 3:30 pm - 8:00 pm
East Preston Recreation Centre, 24 Brooks Drive, East Preston 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Tuesday, December 8
Lockview High School, 148 Lockview Road, Fall River 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Prince Andrew High School, 31 Woodlawn Road, Dartmouth 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Wednesday, December 9
Charles P. Allen High School, 670 Rocky Lake Drive, Bedford 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Dartmouth High School, 95 Victoria Road, Dartmouth 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Thursday, December 10
Halifax West High School, 283 Thomas Raddall Drive, Halifax 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Eastern Shore District High School, 35 Petpeswick Road, Musquodoboit Harbour 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Friday, December 11
Millwood High School, 141 Millwood Drive, Lower Sackville 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Cole Harbour District High School, 2 Chameau Crescent, Cole Harbour 2:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Monday, December 14
Sir John A. Macdonald High School, 31 Scholars Road, Upper Tantallon 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm
J.L. Ilsley High School, 38 Sylvia Avenue, Halifax 3:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Tuesday, December 15
Duncan MacMillan High School, 481 Church Point Road, Sheet Harbour 3:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Auburn Drive High School, 300 Auburn Drive, Dartmouth 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

What you need to know when you come for your vaccine:
• Bring your health card (but you can still be vaccinated if you don’t have one)
• Wear short sleeves and loose clothing
• If you aren’t well, come for your vaccine when you are feeling better

For Vaccination Clinic locations and directions, or to learn more, call 811 or visit:
www.cdha.nshealth.ca
www.iwk.nshealth.cagov.ns.ca/h1n1 or
www.fightflu.ca
www.iwk.nshealth.ca

H1N1 Community of Caring

Dear Community/Faith Organization:

As you know, we are officially in the second wave of the H1N1 influenza pandemic. In Canada and globally, most cases of H1N1 continue to appear as typical flu-like illness. However, there are a small proportion of cases that develop into severe respiratory illness, resulting in hospitalization and sometimes even death. Most concerning is that a number of cases of severe illness have been among previously healthy young children and adults.

Our recent announcement regarding family preparedness and household mailout has outlined a number of measures to ensure individuals and families are prepared in the event they become ill from H1N1. One of the key preparedness steps is for individuals and families to have identified a key person(s) that can help provide general support and/or basic care in the home if such support is required. This is especially true for those who live alone, are a single parent or are the main caregiver in their household. Having someone they trust to care for them will allow them to stay at home and focus on getting better.

We encourage those who are well to offer their heop to someone who may need it. Allowing sick people to recover at home will help slow the spread of the H1N1 virus, not to mention strengthen our communities.

This is a time when we need communities to pull together and support one another. As a trusted part of your community your members/congregation are in a unique position to support the organization of indiviudals and families to ensure that people or families without external support are cared for as well. I encourage your organization to consider how they could help facilitate this community caring.

A fact sheet outlining basic steps for caring for an individual with influenza-like illness in the home is available on-line at

http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/publications/FS_H1N1_Family_Preparedness.pdf.

While the immediate issue is the H1N1 pandemic, over the long run your work facilitating community caring will assist your community to deal with a broad range of emergencies.

On behalf of your community, I thank you in advance for any assistance.

Sincerely,

Robert Strang, MD, MHSc., FRCPC
Chief Public Health Officer

H1N1 Update

More of our residents are now able to receive their H1N1 vaccination. For details, please click on the following link:

http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/h1n1/

Stay informed!

http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/default.aspx?Page=H1N1Updates&category.Categories.1=789&centerContent.Id.0=47827&docList.Categories.0=758

Think you have the flu? Not sure what to do?

A flu assessment chart has been developed to help you decide how to make the best health care decision for you and your family. Visit the Capital Health website for information on seasonal flu and H1N1, plus clinic times and locations, as well as the flu decision chart.

http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/default.aspx?Page=H1N1Updates&category.Categories.1=789&centerContent.Id.0=47827&docList.Categories.0=758


Important: Should your symptoms continue or get worse, see a health care provider to be reassessed.

For health information and advice, call HealthLink 811.

FAQ's about H1N1

Capital Health has produced a video answering your questions about H1N1. If you have any questions, you can email flu@cdha.nshealth.ca They will do their best to respond within two business days (sooner if possible).

http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/video/h1n1/h1n1Nov5.html

Community Immunization Clinics

H1N1 and Seasonal Flu Clinics
November 2-6, 2009

Monday, November 2

Dartmouth Sportsplex, Dartmouth 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Captain William Spry Centre, Spryfield 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm
World Trade and Convention Centre, Halifax 11:30 am to 5:30 pm
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Tuesday, November 3

Dartmouth Sportsplex, Dartmouth 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Captain William Spry Centre, Spryfield 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Saint Andrews' Recreation Centre, Halifax 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Wednesday, November 4

Dartmouth Sportsplex, Dartmouth 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Captain William Spry Centre, Spryfield 1:30 pm tp 7:30 pm
East Preston Recreation Centre, East Preston 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Thursday, November 5

East Dartmouth Community Centre, Dartmouth 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Captain William Spry Centre, Spryfield 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm
World Trade and Convention Centre, Halifax 11:30 am to 5:30 pm
Saint Andrew's Recreation Centre, Halifax 9:30 am to 3:30 pm
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville 1:30 am to 7:30 pm
North Preston Community Centre, North Preston 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Friday, November 6

East Dartmouth Community Centre, Dartmouth 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Captain William Spry Centre, Spryfield 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Saint Andrew's Recreation Centre, Halifax 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm

Saturday, November 7

East Dartmouth Community Centre, Dartmouth 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Captain William Spry Centre, Spryfield 1:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Saint Mary's University, Halifax 8:30 am to 2:30 pm
Saint Andrew's Recreation Centre, Halifax 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Newbridge Academy, Lower Sackville 1:30 pm to 7:3o pm

A complete schedule of planned clinics from now until December is available online at www.cdha.nshealth.ca or www.iwk.nshealth.ca Changes may be made to the schedule in the coming weeks. Each week the schedule will be posted. Questions? Please call HealthLink 811, or visit the Capital Health or IWK websites.

H1N1 Information

Want to practice flu prevention? Along with immunization, people are also encouraged to take the following precautions to prevent illness.

• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after a sneeze or cough.
• When soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Cough and sneeze into elbow or sleeve.
• If using tissues, dispose of them appropriately and wash your hands.
• Limit touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Do not share drinking glasses, water bottles, mouth guards, cosmetics or eating utensils.
• If you're concerned that medical advice or care is needed, contact HealthLink 811.
• Like any illness, should symptons worsen, visit a doctor or walk-in clinic.