In our area there are three confirmed deaths related to the H1N1 virus. News of the latest death came today from Peoria City/County Health officials.

Today health department officials say a 46 year old woman was admitted to the hospital on October 16th with multiple underlying medical conditions. She passed away on Monday.

This comes as many Peoria County residents and workers wait to get the vaccine which is in very short supply in Peoria. But one childcare facility is taking matters into their own hands.

Methodist Childcare Center Director, Lee Ann Isbell says she like many others throughout Peoria County is waiting to get the H1N1 vaccine.
A Vaccine she says their teachers need.

"We really don't want anyone passing that on to the children, we're caring for young children, and young children are at risk for having more severe reactions or results from the H1N1," said Isbell.

So with no flu shots available, she says they've taken precautionary measures, like requiring children or staff to stay home if they have a fever of 101 or higher until it's been gone 24 hours without medication.
They also wash toys regularly.

"If we see a baby that's chewing on something we take it and set it aside so it can be washed so someone else doesn't come along and chew on it as well".

Isbell says the last she heard, Methodist may get vaccine for their staff by Thanksgiving. The health department hopes to see some this week.

"We've now been talking with the Illinois department of public health saying, 'get us what vaccine you can whether it's in the live virus form or the inactivated form" ,said Peoria Health Department, Public Health Administrator, Greg Chance.

He says Peoria County requested vaccine in late September.

"Enough vaccine to immunize two-thirds of our population of Peoria County. Peoria County's about 186 thousand".

But Chance says they primarily requested the shot as opposed to the nasal mist, as certain at risk groups like pregnant women and babies can't use the mist.

"We made that decision without realizing that that was a particular type of vaccine that manufacturers were having the most difficulty producing and shipping out".

The health department has clinics scheduled for next week, but has only received a thousand doses of the vaccine. Some are in shot form and some a nasal mist, but he says it's not nearly enough to hold a clinic.

If they get the expected shipments, county residents in the at risk groups will finally be able to join the ranks of the vaccinated.
For the latest schedule log on to www.peoriacounty.org.