This special page is devoted to the resources arrayed in the fight against the regular and H1N1 flu virus. You'll find hotlines for flu vaccine availability, information on how to tell whether you need a doctor or a home remedy will do, links to KATU's coverage of outbreaks throughout the region, and more.

HAVE THE FLU?

Here's a self-help guide, including how to determine if you need a doctor or if a home remedy will do:

• Public Health Joint Information Center's "Decision Chart": http://www.co.washington.or.us/HHS/News/flu-self-care.cfm
• Beware of scams associated with the flu and vaccine: use this FDA "widget"
• Another H1N1 Flu Self-Care Decision Chart

After hours walk-in medical clinic for children:
WEEKNIGHTS 7 p.m. to 10 p.m./WEEKENDS 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Pediatric Urgent Care Clinic
11790 S.W. Barnes Road
Portland, OR
(503) 643-2100

Marion County H1N1 Informational Sessions:
FRIDAY, NOV. 20, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Wedel Auditorium, Salem Hospital campus, Building B
Friday, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 20
Free. Pre-registration is required and can be done online at salemhealth.org/chec or by calling the Community Health Education Center at 503-814-CHEC (2432). Intended to inform the public about prevention and when a visit to the hospital is necessary.

UPCOMING H1N1 VACCINE CLINICS

MARION COUNTY
The Marion County Health Department (MCHD) is receiving another shipment of H1N1 vaccine and its opening its phone bank 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, to schedule appointments for H1N1 shots. The phone bank number is (503) 584-4870. Based on direction from the Oregon Public Health Division, these appointments will only be available for people at highest risk for complications from the flu, including:  

•     People ages 5 years through 64 years with underlying health conditions
•     Children 6 months through 4 years old
•     Pregnant women
•     Household caretakers of infants less than 6 months old

At this time, there are no appointments to receive the nasal spray. If MCHD receives more of the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine, it will open up appointments so healthy people ages 5 through 24 years old also can get vaccinated.

CLARK COUNTY

Inside Westfield Vancouver Shopping Center
8700 NE Vancouver Mall Drive
Saturday Nov. 21 and Saturday Nov. 28
The clinics are scheduled for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.


The priority groups only:

• Pregnant women
• Health care workers
• Children ages 6 months through age 19
• Parents and caregivers of children younger than 6 months
   

MORE INFORMATION about swine flu and clinics offering vaccinations, as well as cancellations of those clinics:

Clark County: www.flunewsswwashington.org

Clark County H1N1 Hotline: 1 (877) 510-2772

Oregon state: www.flu.oregon.gov

• Locations for the H1N1 vaccine statewide

Multnomah County: http://mchealth.org/swineflu
 
Washington County: www.co.washington.or.us/flu
 
Clackamas County: www.clackamas.us/swineflu
 
Marion County: http://www.co.marion.or.us/

Yamhill County: http://www.co.yamhill.or.us/ph/Services/Flu/10.19.07.pdf

H1N1 hotline phone number for the State of Oregon: 1 (800) 978-3040

Broadway Medical Clinic: www.broadwaymedicalclinic.com (Note that the Broadway Medical Clinic is in the process of establishing several flu clinics in November, which are anticipated to have an "ample supply" of both seasonal and H1N1 vaccines.)

Broadway Clinic Flu Information Hotline: (503) 451-0262

Oregon Public Health hotline: (800) 978-3040
 

School Districts with Clinics

Oregon City School District

Tigard-Tualatin School District

Portland Public Schools (plan clinics)

Evergreen School District (plan clinics)

Other sites of interest:

• GetAFluShot.Com
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
   

What about Tamiflu?

CDC updates its guidelines for who gets Tamiflu
Reasons for Tamiflu, from the Center for Disease Control
Emergency use authorization for Tamiflu, from the CDC
Fact sheet, on emergency uses, for health care providers


More about what is going on in regards to H1N1 news at:

KATU.com coverage of H1N1

KATU.com coverage of the "swine flu"

KATU.com's coverage of the "seasonal flu"