• H1N1 Q&A
  • What is H1N1?
  • Human Infections
  • Case Definitions
  • Is H1N1 Contagious?
  • Cold vs. Flu
  • H1N1 from Pork?
  • Navajo Nation & H1N1
  • Contamination & Cleaning Prevention
  • prevention

Message

The Navajo Division of Health has an approved Navajo Nation Pandemic Influenza response plan.

In April 2009, into the fall, there was a pandemic outbreak of H1N1 Type A Influenza Virus. The Navajo Division of Health (NDOH), Navajo Area Indian Health Service (NAIHS), all health care systems on the Navajo Reservation, including the counties and states responded, initially, with non-pharmaceutical counter measures. Vaccine production and delivery occurred six months later. Health Care Centers made sure there were enough Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Vaccines available.

The Navajo Division of Health (NDOH) formed an Incident Command Center in the main conference room of Building #2, which is the NDOH Administration Building.

The objective and mission was to keep the public informed and to decrease the transmission of the seasonal flu and the H1N1.

Through public information and public education, the main focus was to get the public involved in preventative measures to slow down the seasonal flu and H1N1 impact. The message to the public was very basic, non-medical counter measures:

• To wash hands often;
• To cover coughs and sneezes with tissue and to dispose of used tissues properly. If there is no tissue than one should cough into the upper arm of a sleeve.
• To avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, germs are spread this way.
• To stay home if ill with the flu.
• To stay away from gatherings as much as possible.

A Forum was purchased on KTNN Radio Station in Window Rock on May 15, 2009, with the intent to share Seasonal Flu and H1N1 Influenza information and receive feedback directly from the public through the phone lines. The Navajo Area Indian Health Service (NAIHS) and Navajo Nation Division of Health (NDOH) Bio-Terrorism Preparedness Program conducted the Northern Region Mass Vaccination Clinic on October 7, 2009 across the Navajo Nation. Eleven Points of Dispensing sites (PODS) were activated. Approximately 17,000 flu shots were given.

H1N1 and Seasonal Flu vaccines were given through injections and the H1N1 nasal flu mist (only for 2 to 49 year olds who are not pregnant and have no chronic health conditions) were available.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the 2010-2011 flu vaccine protects against the 2009 H1N1 virus and two other influenza viruses; an H3N2 virus and the influenza B virus.

Latest News Releases:
CDC-Public Health Image Library (PHIL) H1N1 Viru
05.05.2011

CDC-Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
01.03.2011

Navajo Nation Hospitals/Clinics-Flu Clinic Hours
01.04.2011

Time for the Flu Shot
12.20.2010