Normal Visitation Policies for Nassawadox Hospital

Effective immediately, area hospitals will return
to normal visiting policies. At Riverside Shore
Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, the normal visiting
policy restricts children 11 years of age and younger
from patient care areas. Children 12-15 years old who
are accompanied by an adult may visit patients, as may
visitors aged 16 and older.

According to the latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most states in the nation are no longer reporting any flu activity, and Virginia is reporting normal flu levels. In a shared interest of public safety, 18 area hospitals collectively restricted minors from visiting hospital patients in October 2009, to limit the spread of 2009 H1N1 flu. Medical evidence suggested children under 18 to be likely carriers of the illness. The restriction was put into place when 2009 H1N1 flu activity was widespread in the U.S. "I commend the hospitals and health systems in Hampton Roads for the extraordinary collaboration during this unique flu season to protect the community," says State Health Commissioner Karen Remley, MD, MBA.

Experts caution the community about relaxing personal preventative measures that limit the spread of flu and other communicable diseases.

The goal of area health care providers is to use every available and appropriate resource to protect patients from exposure to outside infections and illness. Area hospitals and public health officials will continue monitoring flu levels in the region and around the world for indications of increasing levels. In the event that flu levels rise again, area hospitals are prepared to implement the visitation restrictions in the best interest of public safety. Individuals experiencing flu-like illness are still asked not to visit area hospitals. The collaboration involved 18 area hospitals who stand ready to collaborate on any future public health concerns.


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H1N1 Influenza Vaccination Clinics

The Eastern Shore Health District Announces H1N1 Influenza Vaccination Clinics For General Public




The Eastern Shore Health District invites all members of the general public who wish to receive the H1N1 Influenza Vaccination to attend open walk in clinics during the month of December. There are four remaining opportunities for the general public to receive the vaccine at their local health department in 2009.

Monday, December 7 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Northampton Health Department
Tuesday, December 8 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Accomack Health Department
Monday, December 14 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Northampton Health Department
Tuesday, December 15 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Accomack Health Department

Since the vaccine was received in early October of this year high risk groups have been targeted as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control guidelines: healthcare professionals, pregnant women, school age children ages 6 months through 24 years, and adults ages 25 through 64 with underlying health conditions. Eastern Shore health officials have provided weekly walk in clinics, maternity clinics as well as ongoing public and private school clinics in order to reach as many of the targeted groups as possible. Accomack public elementary schools are planned to be completed by Christmas Vacation, with the Accomac public middle and high school H1N1 Influenza Vaccination Clinics beginning in January. Tangier Combined School H1N1 Influenza Vaccination clinic is also planed before Christmas Vacation as well as a Tangier Island walk in clinic for island residents. Northampton County public schools are working with Eastern Shore RUal Health to bring the H1N1 vaccine to their students. Parents ad students fom either public, private, or home schooling situations are welcome to attend the walk in clinics at the health department, whether they missed a planned school clinic, are in need of a second dose, or they would prefer to receive the vaccine sooner than it will be offered at the school. The health department also welcomes any child nine years old and under in need of a second dose of H1N1 vaccine to come to the walk I clinics, regardless of where the first dose was received, but please bring a copy of your record or vaccination card. There is no charge for the H1N1 influenza vaccine at any health department sponsored clinic

The health department appreciates the general publics patience as they have allowed those who needed the vaccine the most to go fist, and now if offering H1N1 Novel Influenza Vaccine t all who are interested in receiving it. For more information about H1N1 Vaccination Clinics, please visit the Virginia Department of Health website or if you have questions about H1N1 Influenza, please call1-877-ASK-VDH3.


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