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The Latest H1N1 Flu & Seasonal Flu Information

  • Click here to go to the H1N1 & Seasonal Flu Site.


  • MeritCare's flu site has answers to flu-related questions in the following categories:

    • H1N1 and Pregnancy/Infants
    • Resources for Parents & Caregivers
    • Caring for Someone with the Flu
    • Who Should Be Vaccinated?
    • General Flu Information


    H1N1 Vaccine Supply
    We don't expect a shortage of H1N1 vaccine, but availability and demand have been unpredictable; initial shipments are arriving in limited quantities. For the latest information on vaccine availability, keep checking meritcare.com, or call MeritCare's flu line at (701) 234-1234.

    As H1N1 vaccine becomes available, the current Fargo, Moorhead, West Fargo community plan is: patients who are pregnant will receive their H1N1 vaccine from their provider; health care workers who have direct patient contact will receive their vaccine at work; and college-aged kids will receive their vaccine at their schools. Most others will receive the vaccine through community events called points of distribution (PODs).

    H1N1 Vaccine Opportunities
    Those who do not fit into the following categories will be turned away. Events are open to residents of all counties.

    H1N1 Flu Shot & FluMist Walk-In Clinic
    Monday, Nov. 23, 4-7 p.m.
    Target groups: Pregnant women; parents and caregivers of infants less than 6 months of age; and adults 19-24 with chronic medical conditions.
    Location: Urban Plains Center, 5220 30 Ave S, Fargo

    H1N1 Flu Shot (by appointment only/no walk ins)
    Date: Scheduling begins Friday, Nov. 6
    Target groups: All children 6 months to 2 years & 3-9 years with chronic health conditions.
    Phone: (218) 299-5220
    Location: Clay County Public Health Clinic, 715 11 St. N., Suite #105, Moorhead

    When to Seek Information
    Most cases of H1N1 flu have been mild and have not needed medical care. If possible, care for yourself and your child at home; for detailed information, go to Caring for Someone with Flu. You can also call: North Dakota Department of Health (866) 207-2880; Minnesota Department of Health (866) 259-4655; or MeritCare's flu line (701) 234-1234.

    When to call your doctor's office
    Call your doctor's office within 48 hours of symptoms starting if your child has a chronic medical condition and develops flu-like symptoms, including a fever and/or cough. If you're questioning whether you or your child needs to be seen, call our flu line or your doctor's office.

    If you're pregnant, and have flu-like symptoms, stay home, stay away from others, and call your doctor right away. If needed, he or she will prescribe an antiviral medicine that treats the flu. Have someone check in with you often if you are feeling ill.

    When to come to the emergency center


    If you or your child has emergency warning signs of the flu, go to the emergency center.

    Emergency warning signs for children

    • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
    • Bluish or gray skin color
    • Not drinking enough fluids
    • Severe or persistent vomiting
    • Not waking up or not interacting
    • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
    • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

    Emergency warning signs for adults

    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
    • Sudden dizziness
    • Confusion
    • Severe or persistent vomiting
    • Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

    Seasonal Vaccine Supply


    MeritCare, along with health care providers across the nation, has had a temporary disruption in our seasonal influenza vaccine supply. We expect to receive more vaccine in November. The predominant circulating strain now is H1N1 flu, and not seasonal influenza.

    To check to see if vaccine is available, MeritCare patients should keep coming back to meritcare.com, or call MeritCare's flu line at (701) 234-1234.

    Related Links

    Posted Date: November 2009