Sunday, January 24, 2010
Ayude a enfrentar la influenza
Scroll down for an English version of the column.
Ricardo Valdivieso
Ricardo Valdivieso reports on issues of interest to Spanish-speaking people in Southwest Virginia
Recent columns
Summary: The H1N1 vaccine is now widely available and the Health Department is sponsoring clinics around the Roanoke Valley.
A pesar que las noticias acerca de la influenza anual y la influenza porcina (H1N1) han disminuido, el periodo de influenza continuara hasta muy avanzada la primavera.Las autoridades de la salud publica siguen advirtiendo que la influenza no ha desaparecido, y podría darse un resurgimiento, lo que produciría nuevos casos de infección. La Directora del Departamento de Salud de Roanoke y del Distrito de Salud Publica de Alleghany, Doctora Stephanie Harper señalo recientemente: " El H1N1 se mantiene en los alrededores. El H1N1 continua causando enfermedades, hospitalizaciones y muerte. Ahora es el momento de vacunarse ... Todos están invitados a vacunarse;el futuro es impredecible, y la mejor forma de protegerse usted, y sus seres queridos,es vacunándose". El Centro de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades Contagiosas (CDC), recomienda que los niños menores de 9 años sean vacunados con una segunda dosis. Esta segunda vacunación debe ocurrir un mes después de la primera dosis. La Doctora Harper ha señalado, que si ha transcurrido más de un mes desdela primera dosis, no existe ningún problema para que el menor sea vacunado por segunda vez.
Actualmente la vacuna correspondiente a la influenza porcina H1N1 se encuentra ampliamente disponible. El Departamento de Salud de Roanoke esta auspiciando clínicas en los lugares que se indican a continuación. Es de señalarque no es necesario una cita, y que la vacuna es enteramente gratuita.
n Lunes 25 de Enero. Departamento de Salud de Salem, 105 E. Calhoun Street,Salem, de 8 a 11 de la mañana, y en la tarde de 2 PM. a 8 PM.
n Lunes 25 de Enero. Departamento de Salud de Vinton, 227 S. Pollard Street en Vinton. De 2 PM. a 8 PM.
n Martes 26 de Enero. Departamento de Salud de Roanoke,1502 Williamson Road,Roanoke. De 2 PM. a 8 PM.
n Jueves 28 de Enero.Departamento de Salud de Botetourt, 21 Academy Street, Fincastle.De 2 PM. a 8 PM.
n Jueves 28 de Enero. Departamento de Salud de Covington, 321 Beech Street, Covington.De 2 PM. a 8 PM.
n Viernes 29 de Enero. Departamento de Salud de Salem,105 E. Calhoun Street,Salem.De 8 a 11 de la mañana.
n Sábado 30 de Enero.Valley View Mall, 4802 Valley View Boulevard,Roanoke.De 12 PM. a 6 PM.
Para más información revise la pagina electrónica www.roanoke/com/flu.
For English version, see roanoke.com/columnists.
----------
Help Fight the Flu
By Ricardo Valdivieso
While there have not been as many reports in the news recently regarding the flu, the flu season continues well into the spring and health officials warn that the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu have not gone away and there could be another surge in cases. According to Dr. Stephanie Harper, Health Director for the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health District: "H1N1 is still around. It continues to cause sickness, hospitalizations and death. Now is the time to get vaccinated . . . All are encouraged to get vaccinated because the future is unpredictable and the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated."The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a second dose of the vaccine for children under nine years old. There should be at least a month's time between the first and second vaccination, but Dr. Harper states that it is not a problem if it has been more than a month since the first shot.
The H1N1 vaccine is now widely available and the Health Department is sponsoring clinics at the following locations. An appointment is not required and there is no charge for the vaccine.
* Monday, January 25th at the Salem Health Department, 105 E. Calhoun Street in Salem from 8am until 11am and from 2pm until 8pm.
* Monday, January 25that the Vinton Health Department, 227 S. Pollard Street in Vinton from 2pm until 8pm.
* Tuesday, January 26th at the Roanoke City Health Department, 1502 Williamson Road from 2pm until 8pm.
* Thursday, January 28th at the Botetourt Health Department, 21 Academy Street in Fincastle from 2pm until 8pm.
* Thursday, January 28th at the Covington Health Department, 321 Beech Street in Covington from 2pm until 8pm.
* Friday, January 29th at theSalem Health Department, 105 E. Calhoun Street in Salem from 8am until 11am.
* Saturday, January 30th at Valley View Mall, 4802 Valley View Boulevard in Roanoke from noon until 6pm.
For more information, go to www.roanoke/com/flu.
