The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

County establishes H1N1 hotline

State jobless rate jumps to 10.5 percent
10:12 p.m.
Child injured in Ohio 741 accident
8:07 p.m.
Board to review superintendent applicants Saturday
5:54 p.m.
Mayor against Waynesville income tax
5:00 p.m.
Checkpoint tonight
2:04 p.m.
> More headlines

By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer Updated 5:57 PM Wednesday, October 21, 2009

HAMILTON — Butler County Health Department officials have announced the creation of a H1N1 hotline because their office has been inundated with phone calls related to the swine flu vaccine.

“I can’t even estimate (the number of calls). It’s just constant,” Patricia Burg, health department director, said Wednesday, Oct. 21, the day the hotline was announced. “I thought if we had the hotline that would give them the initial information about vaccine availability and the times of clinics.’’

To reach the hotline call: (513) 887-H1N1 or (513) 887-4161.

The county health department will hold free public clinics from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Butler County Fairgrounds, 1715 Fairgrove Ave.

The shots will be given to the population deemed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as priority or high risk. That population includes:

• Pregnant women;

• People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age;

• Health care and emergency medical personnel;

• Anyone from 6 months through 24 years of age;

• Anyone age 25 to 64 with certain chronic medical conditions or a weakened immune system.

Due to the increased attention on flu, media reports about deaths related to the new flu strain and short supplies of the seasonal flu vaccine, Burg said officials expect the clinics to attract large crowds.

“We’re prepared for a large turnout at the clinics. We think we’re getting more calls because of the newness of the vaccine,’’ Burg said.

Burg said the health department currently does not have any seasonal flu vaccine, but hopes to get a shipment after demand for the H1N1 vaccine slows.

So far, the county health department said has received 2,000 doses of the H1N1 vaccine, 3,790 doses of the nasal spray and is expecting an additional shipment this week.

The Ohio Department of Health has ordered 219,800 doses of the flu vaccine, including 84,500 doses of nasal-spray vaccine and 135,300 shots of H1N1 flu vaccine for health care providers statewide, according to ODH

The nasal-spray is approved for use only in healthy people ages 2 to 49, while the shots will be given to those deemed high risk.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2180 or tlatta@coxohio.com.

Share this article

ADD COMMENT

Comments feed

Yes steve, but my whole point in bringing up an issue is... our government is trying to give us these "soft kill" vaccines. I won't stand for it, I want people to open their eyes and realize we have more rights than they try to tell us we have.Bottom line, america is over populated, soft kill vaccines speed up the dying process, and big pharmaceutical companies finacially benift from sticking us in the arm with potential poison? How unjust is that.. visit here for more info, www.infowars.com.

JUSTSAYNO
5:26 PM, 10/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

Burg didn't just stike any employee, it was her nursing director...the one who oversees these clinics.

Jan
3:59 PM, 10/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

To be fair, the vaccine has < 50 micrograms of mercury in it, and not all vaccines even use it (and actually, it's the Thimerosal, which is a preservative used in some vaccines which contains ethelmercury). Either way, point being you probably inhale that much mercury on a daily basis if you live anywhere in the tri-state area. Mercury can, and probably will cause neurological damage, but not at these levels, in a one time dose. However eating right sure isn't going to hurt either.

Steve
2:34 PM, 10/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

No Scott, my type of thinking..meaning herbal remedies and such.. is THE BEST way to fight of virus' and diseases. I don't mean go out and shake everyones hand, make yourself some tea, and go out sneezing on everyone, THATS CRAZY. It's common sense to stay HOME when your sick. But putting GOOD nutrients into our bodies instead of mercury filled vaccinations is far better, healthier, and the benfits outlast that of a toxic waste filled vaccine.

JUSTSAYNO
11:41 AM, 10/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

I agree with JUSTSAYNO. It is easier to not take responsibility for our health by eating right and exercising. Healthy immune systems fight off virus easier than deficient ones do. There is a place for doctors, but not at the expence of people taking responsibility for their own health.

Samantha
10:25 AM, 10/22/2009

REPORT ABUSE

There are 6 additional comments

SHOW ALL

We welcome your comments. Please remember this is a public forum and behave appropriately. Your comments must conform to our visitor's agreement.