Report

The following report is released to the public and media agencies to provide current information on an ongoing emergency within the jurisdiction. Although Osceola County Emergency Management has issued this release regarding operations, other involved agencies may have additional information and directions regarding this event.

Emergency Information Release

Osceola County Emergency Management

(231) 832-6172 P.O.Box 25, Reed City MI. 49677 www.osceolacountyemd.org

Osceola County Emergency Management

Swine Flu Preparedness

To: Local News Media – Osceola County

From: Central Michigan District Health Department

RE: H1N1 Vaccine School-Based Clinics

Release Date: October 21, 2009

During the month of November, Central Michigan District Health Department will be offering H1N1 vaccination to childcare and school-age children only at school-based clinics throughout the six-county area. Within the next couple of weeks, parents of school-aged children will receive information packets, which are being sent home from school with their children. Childcare centers will also receive notification of the clinics. Home-schooled children will also be welcome at these clinics.

School-based clinics will be held in Osceola County at the locations listed below. These clinics are only for the specified priority group (children) and are on a first come, first serve basis.

Thursday, November 5^th from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m.

at Pine River High School

(17445 Pine River Road in Pine River)

Friday, November 6^th from 1:00 – 7:00 p.m.

at Marion High School

(2213 20 Mile Road in Marion)

Tuesday, November 10^th from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.

at Reed City High School

(225 W. Church in Reed City)

Thursday, November 12^th from 1:00 – 6:30 p.m.

at Evart Middle School

(321 N. Hemlock in Evart)

Medical First Responders and Healthcare Workers will be offered the H1N1 vaccination through collaborative efforts between healthcare providers, pharmacies and the local health department. Currently, as long as anticipated vaccine shipments arrive, the health department will hold additional clinics for persons in the priority groups in December. Priority groups set by the Centers for Disease Control are as follows:

· Pregnant women

· Children/young adults ages 6 months – 24 years

· Healthcare workers/medical first responders

· Parents of children less than 6 months of age

· Persons aged 25 – 64 with chronic medical conditions

We will schedule community clinics for the general public once we've had an opportunity to vaccinate the priority groups and have an adequate supply of vaccine to hold clinics of this size. These clinic dates, times and locations will be posted on our website and sent to local media partners.

We encourage local residents to access our website at www.cmdhd.org for the most up-to-date information with regards to H1N1 vaccination clinics, which includes consent forms and vaccine information.

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