Marion County Health Department personnel continue to administer H1N1 vaccines to residents in the “high priority” category.

Students in the Marion County school districts have received or will receive, in the coming the weeks, a second dose as required.

According to health department director Diedre Serene, students in local schools will have received the vaccines by Dec. 21.

“We plan to order more and then will make the vaccines available to every resident,” Serene said.

All H1N1 vaccines are free through the health department.

Some local physicians have vaccines available for their patients. Patients are encouraged to check with their physicians to see if vaccines are available to them. Private physicians may charge an administration fee for the vaccine, Serene said.

Epidemic subsiding

Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed H1N1 cases in Marion County.

There have been 21 deaths in Kansas from the virus, however, none have been reported since Nov. 21.

Protect yourself

Until people can be vaccinated against the virus, individuals are encouraged to take the following steps to reduce its spread.

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to get rid of most germs and avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
• If illness occurs, stay home until at least 24 hours after fever or signs of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications in order to avoid spreading illness to co-workers and friends.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue and properly dispose of used tissues.  If no tissue is available, cover cough or sneeze with the elbow and not hands.
• Stay healthy by eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting adequate rest and exercise.