Information for You and Your Family

Two Flus; Two Vaccines

There are two flus, seasonal flu and H1N1 circulating this year. Protecting against the two flus requires two vaccinations. Most seasonal flu vaccine has been administered by now.

The H1N1 flu requires a separate vaccination, which is slowly becoming available.  Check with your provider for information on where to get H1N1 vaccinations.

Vaccine Safety

The benefits of immunization outweigh the risks. All vaccines, including the H1N1 vaccine, are held to the highest standard of safety and are continually monitored.

Each year, millions of Americans safely receive seasonal flu vaccines. The H1N1 vaccine is made the same way as seasonal flu vaccine by the same companies that make seasonal flu vaccine. The NIH has conducted clinical trials for the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine has been tested and safely used in children, pregnant woman, and adults

The H1N1 vaccine can prevent serious illness or even death, particularly for those who seem most vulnerable to the H1N1 flu. Not getting vaccinated could result in disease or putting others, such as babies or people with cancer, at serious risk for illness. If you care for a young baby it’s important that you get vaccinated so you can protect them.

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Protecting yourself and your family from the flu

Tips for Avoiding the Flu

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid people who are ill.
  
• Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
  
• Use tissue when you cough, sneeze or spit, and dispose of the tissue in a covered trash bin.
  
• Keep hands away from your face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  
• Clean shared space more often such as phone receivers, keyboards, steering wheels and office equipment.
• Be immunized against seasonal flu.
• Talk with your health care provider about H1N1flu immunization

H1N1 Tips for the Public - (10/20/09)

Stopping Germs at Home, Work and School

Detener los gérmenes en el hogar, trabajo y escuela

Prepare for H1N1 Influenza (Flyer) - (Updated 9/25/09)

Prepárese para la gripe H1N1 (gripe porcina) - (9/25/09)

NM DOH Interim Flu Decision Chart -  (10/19/09)

Flu Planning Brochure for Your Family -  (10/09/09)

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If you are sick, please stay home

Parents are encouraged to keep sick children home. It is important that students who have the flu not participate in classes or any school-related activities until they have been without a fever for at least 24 hours.  This recommendation to parents is made in the interest of their own child's health and the health of the other children.  It is this voluntary compliance that helps keep flu from spreading.

The symptoms of novel H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illnesses and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus.

Frequently Asked Questions - (10/20/09)

Preguntas más frecuentes - (8/25/09)

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The mission of the New Mexico Department of Health is to promote health and sound health policy, prevent disease and disability, improve health services systems and assure that essential public health functions and safety net services are available to New Mexicans.