H1N1 Flu VaccineH1N1 Flu VaccineEMT TrainingEMT Training

and Vaccination Programand Vaccination Program

Portage CountyPortage County

October 13-17, 2009October 13-17, 2009

Governor Strickland has declared that Ohio’s Governor Strickland has declared that Ohio’s EMT’s can give the H1N1 vaccine. This will EMT’s can give the H1N1 vaccine. This will help Portage County local health help Portage County local health departments to vaccinate its population, departments to vaccinate its population, beginning with health care providers and first beginning with health care providers and first responders. responders.

Portage County Local Health Departments worked Portage County Local Health Departments worked with Robinson Memorial Hospital to provide the with Robinson Memorial Hospital to provide the

state mandated EMT training for H1N1 flu state mandated EMT training for H1N1 flu vaccination. Four training days were offered. vaccination. Four training days were offered.

Karen Towne, PCHD Public Health Karen Towne, PCHD Public Health Nurse, set up the clinics and answered Nurse, set up the clinics and answered

questions about the vaccine.questions about the vaccine.

Susie Forgacs, Robinson’s EMT Susie Forgacs, Robinson’s EMT Training Coordinator, provides Training Coordinator, provides

training mandated by the state to training mandated by the state to local EMT’s.local EMT’s.

EMT’s also registered for the Portage EMT’s also registered for the Portage County Medical Reserve Corps. EMA County Medical Reserve Corps. EMA

Deputy Director John Mason is pictured Deputy Director John Mason is pictured making the MRC identification badges. making the MRC identification badges.

Karen Towne oversaw Karen Towne oversaw vaccine administrations. Karen is vaccine administrations. Karen is employed by the Portage County employed by the Portage County

Health Department.Health Department.

An EMT administers the Flu Mist vaccine to An EMT administers the Flu Mist vaccine to one of their own.one of their own.

Many of the EMT’s who Many of the EMT’s who were eligible for the were eligible for the nasal spray nasal spray volunteered to take it. volunteered to take it. In order to take the In order to take the nasal spray, a person nasal spray, a person must be between the must be between the ages of 2 and 49 with ages of 2 and 49 with no chronic health no chronic health conditions. conditions.

EMT’s are among the first group to get EMT’s are among the first group to get the H1N1 flu vaccine along with other the H1N1 flu vaccine along with other

medical professionals who provide direct medical professionals who provide direct

patient care.patient care.

Overall, about 70 EMT’s from Overall, about 70 EMT’s from across the county were trained to across the county were trained to

give the H1N1 vaccine. give the H1N1 vaccine.

Kelly Engelhart, PCHD Director of Kelly Engelhart, PCHD Director of Nursing and Public Health Nurse, Nursing and Public Health Nurse,

getting her H1N1 Flu Mist.getting her H1N1 Flu Mist.

Finishing his day, long-time EMT, Firefighter and EMA Finishing his day, long-time EMT, Firefighter and EMA Deputy Director John Mason gets his H1N1 flu shot. Deputy Director John Mason gets his H1N1 flu shot.