H1N1 Influenza Vaccinations
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Local Metro Health Hotline:
(210) 207-5779
HOURS: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday- FridayWhat is Novel H1N1 Influenza A?
- PODCAST: H1N1 Flu and You with Director of Health Dr. Fernando A. Guerra WMA MP3
- PODCAST: H1N1 Flu Vaccine with Asst. Dir. of Health Dr. Bryan Alsip WMA MP3
- Latest Information on the H1N1 Influenza A (Swine Flu) Investigation (CDC) (PDF)
- Guidance for Diabetics - November 6, 2009 (PDF)
H1N1 Influenza A (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. Novel H1N1is a new influenza virus causing illness in people. This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. The virus has now spread throughout the nation and into countries in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
H1N1 is spreading from person-to-person, similar to how regular seasonal influenza viruses spread, and has been determined to be contagious. Although the vast majority of illness has been mild, a number of people who have contracted novel H1N1 have required hospitalization. And, the virus has led to hundreds of deaths here in the U.S., especially for people with underlying health conditions, including pregnancy.
Tracking of Novel H1N1 Influenza A
Metro Health continues to work with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate and monitor this novel virus. As national, state, and local health officials learn more about the virus and the illness it produces, recommendations and guidance are being continuously updated. So, it is important that you stay informed. We all must work together to protect our community by doing what we can to prevent and reduce the spread of H1N1.
Due to the widespread national prevalence of novel H1N1 influenza, the Centers for Disese Control and Prevention (CDC) officially shifted its focus in July 2009 from counting individual confirmed or suspected cases to monitoring hospitalized cases to track the severity of illness. The CDC recommended that all states and local public health agencies do the same. To be consistent with national and state guidelines, Metro Health is no longer recommending testing of all cases of novel H1N1 and is currently tracking hospitalized cases and deaths in our community associated with novel H1N1 infections. Metro Health is also continuing to monitor other forms of surveillance, including emergency room visits for influenza-like illness and active communication with schools and hospitals.
Prevention
Metro Health encourages the community to take preventive measures to reduce the likelihood of illness and the spread of any type of respiratory infection (including seasonal flu and novel H1N1 influenza). Those measures include:
- Get a H1N1 flu vaccination
- Stay home when you're sick
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often
- Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue (throw away immediately) or sneeze into the inside of your elbow
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth (germs on your hands enter your body this way)
- Avoid close contact with sick people
Vaccine for Novel H1N1 Influenza A
General Information
A vaccine to protect against novel H1N1 influenza is now being distributed to health departments and providers throughout the country. Metro Health is currently partnered with school districts in our community, which have begun the process of vaccinating students in our area. However, Metro Health has not yet received an adequate supply to begin more widespread community vaccination efforts or to offer the vaccine in our clinics. Pharmacies are now being supplied ample vaccine for the public and can be located by clicking on the Flu Locator button at the top of this page.
For the latest CDC information available on the H1N1 influenza vaccine, click here.
For an explanation on why the vaccine supply was limited, watch this CDC video.
Latest News Releases:
- San Antonio Metropolitan Health District
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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