"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - H1N1 Vaccine Available at Cherokee Health Centers

The H1N1 vaccine is now available at all Cherokee Nation health facilities to Cherokee citizens and other Native Americans. The vaccine reduces a person’s risk of getting the H1N1 flu virus.

The Cherokee Nation announced today that the H1N1 vaccine is now available at all tribal health facilities to all Cherokee citizens and other Native Americans from a federally recognized tribe with a Certified Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card. The vaccine reduces a person’s risk of getting the H1N1 flu virus.

While vaccine supplies remain limited, demand from the priority groups has dropped to a point where any citizen can receive the vaccine.

“We have obtained enough vaccine that we can now offer it to anyone who wishes to have it,” said Dr. Gloria Grim, Medical Director for the Cherokee Nation. “We continue to strongly encourage the priority groups, primarily children and expectant mothers, to get the vaccine.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the H1N1 vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the H1N1 virus and help reduce its spread to others. The State of Oklahoma Health Department has said H1N1 influenza activity has been widespread in Oklahoma since early September. Even though statewide monitoring has recently shown a decline in influenza-linked hospitalizations, the virus is expected to circulate throughout the winter months. The possibility also exists that another surge of H1N1 flu may follow the current one.

Since September 1, 890 Oklahomans have been hospitalized due to complications from influenza and 27 persons have died. Ninety percent of the H1N1-related deaths have been persons less than 65 years old. This finding contrasts significantly with seasonal flu which tends to cause the greatest proportion of deaths among persons older than 65 years. The best protection against getting the flu is to receive both the vaccine for H1N1 flu and seasonal flu.

Cherokee Nation citizens and others with a CDIB card can contact any Cherokee Nation health care facility for more information. Other Oklahomans wanting the vaccine are encouraged to check with their physician or their local county health department.