South Bend, Washington – The H1N1 vaccine will be given to pregnant women residing in North Pacific County on Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 9 am to 11 am. The clinic will be held in the Pacific County Public Safety Building (behind the Courthouse) in South Bend. No appointment is necessary. The vaccine being offered is thimerosal free and is therefore safe for pregnant women. There is no charge for the vaccine and again, this clinic is for pregnant women only. You may call (360) 875-9343 if you need additional information. A H1N1 clinic will also be offered in South Pacific County. For date and location information for that clinic please call (360) 642-9349. If you need additional information about H1N1 influenza there is 24 hour information available in both English and Spanish at 888-703-4364. Information may also be obtained through the Washington State Department of Health website at www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/.

South Bend, Washington – The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency is participating in a NOAA Weather Radio Program. The program is designed to educate the public on the warnings and alerts that may be issued from the National Weather Service. All residents of the Tokeland Peninsula and the North Cove/Grayland area are welcome to attend. There will be two sessions offered onOctober 29, 2009: · 12:30 pm - Grange Hall, North Willapa Grange #947 3198 State Route 105, Grayland · 5:30 pm - Shoalwater Bay Tribal Center 2373 Old Tokeland Road, Tokeland Additional information and program applications can be obtained at www.co.pacific.wa.us/pcema or in person at the Shoalwater Bay Tribal Center or the Tokeland Post Office. Program participants will receive important information about tsunamis, how to make a home preparedness kit, and NOAA weather radios will be given to the first 200 residents that meet specific income levels. Local amateur radio operators will be on-site to assist with radio programming. NOAA weather radios provide warning for multiple natural and man-made hazards but are especially important to obtain a tsunami warning while indoors. Additional NOAA Weather Radio information is available athttp://www.emd.wa.gov/. The NOAA Weather Radio Program is coordinated among the Washington State Emergency Management Division, the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, the Shoalwater Bay Tribe, and the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency.

South Bend, Washington – The Pacific County Public Health and Human Services Department held a H1N1 vaccination clinic for emergency medical services, home health, and long term care providers. The vaccine was available in the form of both nasal spray and the “flu shot.” Vaccine has also been distributed to local hospitals and doctor’s offices to vaccinate their staff. It is anticipated that sometime in early November there will be plenty of vaccine available to provide it to anyone who would like to be vaccinated, including those over age 65. Those at highest risk and our health care providers are being vaccinated first. The Health Department is working with local providers and partners to have vaccine available for the general public as soon as it is received. As a reminder the groups recommended to receive the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine include: · Pregnant women · Household contacts and caregivers of children younger than 6 months of age · Healthcare and emergency medical service personnel with direct patient contact · All people from 6 months through 24 years of age · Persons aged 25 through 64 years who have health conditions associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza Influenza like illnesses have already been reported in the community in both children and adults. The Health Department would like to remind you toprotect yourself against the flu. Please continue to use common-sense measures: stay home if you are sick, avoid close contact, and practice hand washing. As always, persons with a respiratory illness (fever of over 100°, cough, and/or sore throat) should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading influenza and other respiratory illnesses to others. Here are some tips to keep from spreading your germs to others, and to keep from catching someone else’s germs.Keep your germs to yourself: · Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose. · Discard used tissues in the trash as soon as you can. · Always wash your hands after sneezing, blowing your nose, or coughing, or after touching used tissues or handkerchiefs. Wash hands often if you are sick. · Use warm water and soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizers to wash your hands. · Try to stay home if you have a cough and fever. · See your doctor as soon as you can if you have a cough and fever, and follow their instructions. Take medicine as prescribed and get lots of rest. · If asked, use face masks provided in your doctor’s office or clinic’s waiting room. Follow office or clinic staff instructions to help stop the spread of germs. Keep the germs away: · Wash your hands before eating, or touching your eyes, nose or mouth. · Wash your hands after touching anyone who is sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose. · Don’t share things like towels, lipstick, toys, or anything else that might be contaminated with respiratory germs. · Don’t share food, utensils or beverage containers with others. If you need additional information about H1N1 influenza there is 24 hour information available in both English and Spanish at 888-703-4364. You may also contact the Health Department at (360) 875-9343 or (360) 642-9349. Information may also be obtained through the Washington State Department of Health website at www.doh.wa.gov/h1n1/.

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement – Colder nights with possible freezing temperatures coming this weekend in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon. An early Autumn modified arctic air mass is descending into central and eastern Washington today. This dry and cooler air will set the stage for the coolest minimum temperatures of the season into early next week. Nighttime and early morning minimum temperatures could fall well into the 20s the next three or four nights. At this point the coldest nights look to be Saturday and Sunday nights. The one mitigating factor in some areas will be the strength and duration of the east winds. Areas where the winds remain throughout the night will tend to stay above freezing. Thus, some nights could see 15-20 degree ranges between the coldest and warmest areas and will make pinpointing low temperatures difficult. Precautionary/Preparedness actions: If you have plants susceptible to the cold be sure to take any necessary steps to protect them. You will likely want to disconnect outdoor hoses form faucets as well. For the most up to date weather information from the NWS please visithttp://www.weather.gov/portland. This page brings up all advisories, watches, and warnings for the southwest Washington area.

Two sessions of volunteer orientation will be held in October for the Pacific County Medical Reserve Corps. The first will be Monday, October 19, 2009 in the large conference room at the Pacific County Administration Facility in Long Beach. The second session is Monday, October 26, 2009 in the Commissioner's meeting room at the Courthouse Annex in South Bend. Both sessions will be from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm and dinner will be served. To RSVP or for questions please contact Annie Merritt at (360) 481-2609 or email pacificMRC@gmail.com.