Importance of Vaccination for Third Wave of H1N1

November 10: Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) officials are warning people not let their guard down against H1N1 influenza and that the best protection is vaccination. People should get themselves and their children vaccinated as vaccine becomes available. There have been a significant number of H1N1 cases in the Fargo-Moorhead community but the number of cases is leveling off.

According to FCPH director Ruth Bachmeier, “What we are seeing right now is a dip in the second wave of H1N1 cases in our area. The first wave was during April and May. We expect to see a third wave of H1N1 cases increasing in early to mid winter. That is why it is so important for people not to become complacent and to get themselves and their loved ones vaccinated”.  The next H1N1 vaccination clinic will be this Saturday, November 14^th at Fargo North High School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until vaccine is gone, whichever comes first. The clinic is for all children ages 6 months through 18 years, pregnant women, and parents and direct caregivers of infants under 6 months of age. Parking will be on the south side of the school and entrance to the clinic will be at door number 22.  There will also be an H1N1 clinic on Monday, November 16 from 4-8 p.m., or when vaccine runs out, whichever is first. The clinic will be at Hope Lutheran Church-South Campus at 3636 25^th St. South in Fargo. The clinic will be for pregnant women; and parents and direct caregivers of infants under 6 months of age. Injectable vaccine and FluMist will be available at the clinics.    

Further vaccination clinics will continue to be announced as vaccine arrives. Follow the clinics on the Twitter account: FCPH.

For more general flu information, contact the North Dakota Department of Health at 1-866-207-2880 or go to www.fighttheflu.net.