October 23, 2009 UPDATE
Pandemic H1N1 flu virus update
H1N1 Letter to Schools - FINAL OCT 23.pdf
October 23, 2009
Dear parents, staff members and volunteers,
The H1N1 vaccine has arrived in Peel! The H1N1 vaccine is your best protection. You should get it. Peel Public Health H1N1 vaccination clinics will begin on November 2 to December 11 as outlined in the attached poster.
Early clinics are being offered on October 28 and 29, 2009 at the International Centre in Mississauga. Early clinics are directed especially to residents under 65 years of age with chronic medical conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart, lung or kidney disease or those receiving treatment for cancer or other illnesses that might affect the immune system) and their caregivers, as well as health care workers.
The H1N1 vaccine is free for everyone who lives and works in Ontario.
PEEL PUBLIC HEALTH H1N1 VACCINE CLINICS (click).pdf
Before you attend a clinic, please note:
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Do not attend a H1N1 vaccination clinic if you think you have the flu. Wait until you are better to get vaccinated. Flu-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, runny nose, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Stay home from school or work and limit contact with others if you are sick. Contact your doctor or call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 if your symptoms get worse.
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Pregnant women and children 6 months to 1 year of age must see a doctor to get the H1N1 vaccine. Pregnant women and children 6 months to 1 year of age will not be able to obtain their H1N1 vaccinations at Peel Public Health H1N1 vaccine clinics. If you are pregnant, Peel Public Health recommends you talk with your doctor about receiving the H1N1 vaccine. Pregnant women who develop flu-like symptoms should contact their doctor right away. Children under 6 months of age are not eligible for the H1N1 vaccine.
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Children 6 months to 9 years of age will require 2 vaccinations. There must be at least 21 days between the first and second vaccine.
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Bring your health card or driver’s license. This will help our staff at the clinic to register you more efficiently. These documents are not required in order to receive the vaccine.
In addition to getting the H1N1 vaccine, the best ways to reduce the risk of becoming ill or spreading flu viruses include:
Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Practise good hygiene:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are spread this way.
Stay Healthy:
Eat healthy foods, stay physically active and get adequate rest to keep your immune system strong.
Monitor your health
: If you develop flu-like symptoms stay home from school or work and limit your contact with others while you are sick. Contact your doctor or call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 if your symptoms get worse.
For more information on the H1N1 flu virus, visit
www.peelregion.ca or call 905-799-7700, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to speak to a health professional.
Eileen de Villa, MD, MBA, MHSc, CCFP, FRCPC
Associate Medical Officer of Health
Region of Peel
October 14, 2009 UPDATE
Director's Update Lette rTo Community Oct14/2009 pdf
Dear Parents and Guardians:
We are now well into the new school year and I want to take the opportunity to update you on the strategies and actions our schools have taken with respect to H1N1. We also want to provide information about what you can continue to do to protect yourself and your family.
This fall and winter, there may be two types of flu viruses circulating – the seasonal flu and H1N1. In Ontario, the majority of cases of this new flu strain have been in healthy young adults and most cases have been mild. Younger children are at risk of infection, possibly because they don’t wash their hands consistently or use proper etiquette when sneezing/coughing.
Symptoms of H1N1 are similar to seasonal flu, including headache, chills and cough followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur in adults as well as in children. In more severe cases, or in people with chronic conditions, complications such as pneumonia may develop.
The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board continues to work closely with our regional health authorities (Peel Health and the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Health Unit), as well as the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and based on the advice of these authorities, we are taking steps to prevent the spread of H1N1 in our schools. Some of these steps include:
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Making staff, students and parents aware of the symptoms of H1N1, and encouraging them to stay home when ill,
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Continue to consult with the above authorities on infection prevention and control;
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Ensuring soap and water is available for hand washing, as well as placing alcohol-based hand sanitizer (used under adult supervision) in areas where hand washing is not available; and,
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Frequently cleaning commonly touched surfaces/items.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care advises everyone to take an active role in protecting themselves from H1N1. Here are a few things you can do:
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Teach children to wash their hands with soap and water thoroughly and often.
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Keep alcohol-based sanitizer (gel or wipes) handy at work and in your car. Note that alcohol-based sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective.
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Teach children not to share personal items like pens, pencils, drinks, or food.
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Teach children to cough or sneeze into their sleeve or a tissue, not their hand. This includes teaching them to dispose of tissues in the garbage immediately.
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Keep sick children at home until they are feeling well and are able to fully participate in all normal day-to-day activities.
For more information on H1N1, see the Q & A on the reverse of this letter, contact Peel Public Health
905-799-7700 or
www.peelregion.ca, Wellington Dufferin Guelph Health Unit at
1-800-265-7293 or
www.wdghu.org, or visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care’s website at
www.ontario.ca/flu.
We will continue to keep you updated as we work together to prevent the spread of
H1N1.
Sincerely,
John B. Kostoff
Director of Education