Co-Lin officials are in weekly contact with the Mississippi Department of Health and the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges for updates on the H1N1 virus.

This week's update:

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is just beginning to receive Novel H1N1 swine flu vaccine in nasal and injectable forms.  These shipments are small and it will take awhile to amass any large amounts. Their first priority will be to healthcare providers of pregnant women and children.  They will also begin to have swine flu vaccine availability at our county clinics for priority high-risk groups as well.

As additional swine flu vaccine continues to arrive weekly,  MSDH will begin to vaccinate Mississippi students and also work with the private colleges, community colleges and universities on mass vaccinations. The staff has been in contact with us to plan for providing swine flu vaccine for health clinics or to ensure swine flu vaccination by other alternatives. Again, this is still at least a few weeks away from this type of action.

So, in the meantime students should be reminded of the importance of good hygiene and should also be encouraged to obtain their seasonal flu vaccine which is now available at all of our county health clinics as well as retail outlet, pharmacies, grocery stores and private healthcare providers.

Please continue to monitor this web site for more information.

Those who think they have the H1N1 virus need to schedule an appointment with their regular physician instead of going to the hospital emergency room. Health officials are only testing patients that have been admitted to the hospital.

The H1N1 virus appears to be no more contagious than seasonal flu. Those with underlying conditions such as diabetes, asthma, pregnancy, or compromised immune systems are particularly at risk.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and follow the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Mississippi Department of Health and the State Board of Community and Junior Colleges regarding any response to this issue.

The King's Daughters Medical Center Clinic is open in the Stribling Associate Degree Nursing Building Room 115. The Clinic is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. to see students and faculty. A KDMC physician or nurse practitioner will be avilable in the clinic. Services include non-emergency care such as physicals, sprains, strains, illness, flu, minor lacerations, cough, cold, etc. Walk-ins welcome. To schedule an appointment call (601) 823-5182.

Please go to the links below for more information about H1N1 including the vaccine.

H1N1 Prevention

If you get the flu...

Take 3 Actions to Fight the Flu

H1N1 Vaccine - What you need to know

H1N1 - The Flu Shot

H1N1 - The Nasal Spray Vaccine

Department of Health - Hygiene from Copiah-Lincoln CC on Vimeo.