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Oregon Educators Benefit Board
Oregon Health Authority
H1N1 Flu Information
H1N1 Update as of March 25, 2010
H1N1 Update as of Dec. 17, 2009
H1N1 Flu Making a Comeback
H1N1 Vaccine on the Way to Oregon
H1N1 Coverage Through Your OEBB Plan
Preparing for H1N1 Flu: Preparation Resources
H1N1 Update as of March 25, 2010

 
Oregon’s spring break is this week. Flu activity is currently low, but historically, flu season can extend into March and April. Several cases of influenza have been reported recently on college campuses. Last year there was an increase in the number of flu cases right after spring break, so this year Oregon Public Health is advising spring breakers to take precautions. Keep in mind that many people under age 25 do not have immunity to H1N1 flu -- so it’s important for this age group to be vaccinated if they haven’t been already.
 
Recently, several colleges and universities have reported increased flu activity on their campuses, according to the American College Health Association (ACHA). Oregon Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ACHA continue to encourage all students, faculty and staff at universities and colleges to protect themselves against pandemic H1N1 and regular, seasonal flu by getting both vaccinations as soon as possible. Remember that it takes about two weeks after receiving a flu vaccination for you to become immune.
 
The H1N1 flu vaccine is readily available in Oregon, including through on-campus health clinics, as well as in your doctor’s office, at state and local health departments and at many pharmacies and supermarkets. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself against the flu. This protection is especially important if you already have a health condition -- such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease or pregnancy -- that increases your risk of serious flu-related complications.
 
For more complete information visit:
 
Oregon’s main flu site: http://flu.oregon.gov/ 
Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ 
H1N1 Update as of Dec. 17, 2009
 As of Dec. 11, 2009, 1274 confirmed hospitalizations and 63 deaths have occurred in Oregon, due to H1N1 flu. The Oregon Public Health Division continues to respond to the pandemic and provide leadership and resources for all Oregonians. Here’s what’s new:
 
Resources
Oregon’s flu hotline now has nurses available to give advice on exposure to the flu, prevention, symptoms, and deciding when to see a doctor. Please keep the number handy and share it with family, friends and customers. The number to call is 1-800-978-3040.
 
The Oregon Public Health Division recently updated its flu Web site with new posters that promote flu-free work environments. Feel free to post these materials in the common areas of your work unit. The posters appear in English and Spanish. Look for “flu-free” under the Employer Resources section of the following page: http://flu.oregon.gov/Pages/BusinessesandEmployers.aspx.
 
Vaccine Update
On Monday, Dec. 14, Oregon Public Health officials expanded the availability of the H1N1 vaccine to everyone. Dr. Mel Kohn, director of Oregon Public Health Division, recommends that everyone get vaccinated, especially people who may be at high risk for complications during the flu. 
 
Cases of H1N1 flu have dropped off over the last few weeks, but there is a good possibility that additional waves of illness may occur over the next few months. Health officials continue to urge people to get vaccinated to prevent problems later this winter. Private healthcare providers, retail pharmacies and local public health clinics will receive the vaccine.
 
You can find public clinic locations for H1N1 vaccine at the following Web site or by calling the flu hotline, 1-800-978-3040: http://flu.oregon.gov/pages/vaccinelocations.aspx.   
H1N1 Flu Making a Comeback
Flu virus
 
H1N1 influenza is currently circulating in Oregon. Officials say H1N1 continues to present similarly to seasonal flu in terms of severity. Certain groups including pregnant women and people with underlying conditions are at an increased risk of complications from H1N1 influenza.
 
Public health officials urge those groups to take extra caution. People who develop a high fever with a cough, sore throat, or muscle aches, or parents of young children with these symptoms should strongly consider calling their healthcare provider.
 
By taking three simple steps -- washing hands frequently, covering one's cough and staying home from work when sick -- Oregonians can help prevent spread of infection to others, while also protecting themselves.
 
H1N1 infection has been reported to cause a variety of flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Spread of H1N1 influenza is thought to occur in the same way that seasonal influenza spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person-to-person through coughing and sneezing.
 
The Center for Disease Control recommends taking these everyday steps to protect your health:
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
  • If you are sick with flu-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Keep away from others as much as possible to keep from making others sick.
 
What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. The CDC recommends that you wash your hands -- with soap and warm water -- for 15 to 20 seconds.
H1N1 Vaccine on the Way to Oregon
Link to FLU.OREGON.GOV

 
Oregon is in the process of receiving the H1N1 vaccine and public health officials expect there will be enough vaccine in Oregon so that widespread vaccination can begin around the middle of October at local flu clinics, with a particular focus on key priority groups.
 
 The priority list is:
• Children and young adults 6 months to 24 years old;
• Pregnant women;
• People caring for or living with infants under 6 months of age;
• People aged 25 to 64 with medical conditions that put them at a higher risk
for influenza-related complications;
• Health care workers;
• Frontline law enforcement and public safety workers.
 
It is expected that the first shipment to Oregon will be distributed directly to Oregon counties on a per capita basis. The first vaccine doses will arrive mostly in nasal spray form, although over the course of the season both the nasal spray and injectable vaccine should be available.
 
Most people should be able to get vaccinated by their health care provider, although other options will be available across the state as well. State and local public health officials will spread the word about the availability of H1N1 flu shot clinics once vaccine begins arriving in substantial quantities.
 
Information on vaccine availability will be posted on the state public health Web site at
www.flu.oregon.gov and will also be available from the state hotline at 1-800-978-
3040.
 
The nasal spray vaccine is as effective as a shot for healthy people between ages 2 and 49. However, health officials recommend that some groups wait for the injectable vaccine, including: pregnant women, children younger than 2, and people with asthma and other chronic respiratory diseases. Injectable vaccine is expected to begin arriving in substantial quantities later in October.
 
Regular seasonal flu shots, which do not protect against H1N1, also are recommended, and are currently available. Information on where to get one is available on the Public Health Flu Web site at www.flu.oregon.gov or from the state hotline at 1-800-978-3040.
 
Since September 1, 2009, there have been 16 hospitalizations in Oregon from the
flu: six were confirmed H1N1 and the rest influenza A. One death was reported in
September.
 
Public health experts continue to advise the public to take basic precautions to help slow the spread of all influenza:
• Wash your hands;
• Cover your cough;
• Stay home if you are sick.
 
For more information on where to get the vaccine when it becomes available, please visit the Oregon Department of Human Services Web site or call the Oregon Public Health Flu hotline: 1-800-978-3040.
H1N1 Coverage Through Your OEBB Plan
H1N1 symbol
 
Each of OEBB’s carriers’ provides H1N1 coverage, much like coverage for the seasonal flu.
 
The following information pertains to members receiving flu shots in regard to the H1N1 virus. The CDC recommends that the following groups receive the vaccine before others: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than six months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children six months through four years of age, and children five through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions.
 
Though no shortage of the vaccine is expected, at this time it has not been determined which physicians and facilities will receive the H1N1 vaccine. The program is sponsored by the federal government, which will distribute the medication to the states for use.  The vaccine is expected to be available in October.
 
Kaiser Permanente
There is no co-pay for the H1N1 vaccine when administered at a Kaiser medical office. Information about H1N1 also is provided to Kaiser members through telephone announcements and in the Kaiser medical offices. Members can also call  (888) 595-0005 for more information on the H1N1 virus and vaccine.
 
Kaiser members may visit kp.org/flu to get updated information about H1N1 including recent news, flu symptoms, antiviral medications and coverage, and related links.
 
ODS
There is no co-pay to ODS members for the H1N1 vaccine. The medication will be covered at 100 percent with no deductible or office visit for in-network providers. Out of network benefits would apply if administered by a nonparticipating provider. ODS members may contact (866) 923-0409 or (503) 265-2909 for more information about the H1N1 virus and vaccine.
 
Providence Health Plans
There is no co-pay to Providence members for the H1N1 vaccine.  Members may receive the vaccine from a site determined by their counties, or, at their provider’s office, if available, for no co-pay. Providence Health Plans members may contact (800) 878.4445 or (503) 574.7500 for more information about the H1N1 virus and vaccine.
Preparing for H1N1 Flu: Preparation Resources
Washing hands
 
The H1N1 virus continues to circulate Oregon and it's impact is only suspected to get worse as fall and winter approaches. By staying informed of the latest developments and following three simples steps -- washing hands frequently, covering one's cough, and staying home from work when sick -- Oregonians can help prevent spread of infection to others, while also protecting themselves.
 
To help you stay informaed, the Oregon Department of Human Service's Acute and Communicable Disease Preventition division has created a Web site, flu.oregon. gov, that hosts the most relevent, up to date information related to the H1N1 virus.
 
The site provides tips for preparing for the H1N1 flu, fact sheets, resources for preventing flu in the workplace, communities and schools and educational facilities, and other public health information.
 
Here, you may download posters geared toward flu prevention, test your flu IQ and get flu fighter educational materials.
 
The site is comprehensive, yet easy to use. Stay flu free this year, stay informed and take action.
 
H1N1 Flu Information

Page updated: May 08, 2011