H1N1 Information Center on towns’ websites
The Madison Health Department has developed an H1N1 Information Center on the town website (http://gov.rosenet.org ). Currently there are three links. The first will give you basic information about the targeted groups identified to receive the vaccine. Clicking at the bottom of page one will lead you to the Center for Disease Control for additional information about the disease, the vaccine methods, injectable and mist and the actions to take to prevent, recognize or care for the disease symptoms. Link two is a survey for people to indicate the number in their household who fit into the targeted groups and would like to be vaccinated. These numbers will be used by the health department for ordering vaccine and for staffing clinics. Link three is called “Updates” and the arrival of vaccine and the clinic schedules will be posted here. Important forms such as the vaccine information statement and the vaccine consent form will be available online so people may knowledgeably fill out the consent form prior to coming to the clinic.
The Health Department will send the same information to Chatham and Chatham Township, its contracting towns for posting on their websites. Some clinics may be held in the schools but there will be many open clinics scheduled at the Madison Health Department. There are still many unknowns regarding the arrival of the vaccine and the type and quantity of vaccine that will be sent initially.
Medical research has indicated that people 65 and older are presumed to have some protection to this virus because of previous exposure. Because of this immunity, these senior citizens are not considered to be in the high-risk group for this disease. Hence vaccine will not be available to them until the targeted groups are vaccinated.
Residents interested in being vaccinated should refer to the website for instructions and send an e-mail to healthservices@rosenet.org
