There is no need to panic, but there is cause for concern.

Along with the autumn colors and cooler weather, H1N1 has arrived for the fall. No one in the county has succumbed to the flu, although 16 people have died from H1N1 in Washington state since April 26. There were 174 hospitalizations in that same time period.

This strain of flu has proven more harmful for younger people, which is a break from the norm. As more and more kids are staying home from school with flu symptoms (there are only four confirmed cases of H1N1 flu in our county), the health department is vaccinating as many kids as possible.

Last week the county announced that all residents under the age of 25 are eligible for vaccinations. On Monday, the county expanded the eligible group to adults ages 25 to 64 who suffer from a chronic health problem that places them at greater risk of suffering serious complications from H1N1 influenza.

Those chronic conditions include asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and individuals with conditions or taking medications which suppress the immune system.

The county’s supply of vaccine remains below demand, but shipments are arriving.

The groups now listed as priority for vaccination are all children and young adults between the ages of six months and 25 years; adults ages 25 to 64 who suffer chronic health problems; pregnant women; caregivers of children less than six months; and health care workers and emergency medical responders.

We’ve heard this already so much we could probably recite it by heart, but please follow this advice:

• Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash them, and keep your office spaces germ-free. Invest in some antibacterial wipes.

• Cover your cough with a tissue or your upper sleeve.

• Stay home if you are sick. Do not go to work or spend time in public places if you are ill.

• Call before going to your health care provider’s office if you have a cough and fever or sore throat.

The holidays are just around the corner, and we all want to be healthy for the food, festivities, community concerts, and gift giving. If you are eligible for a H1N1 flu shot, do it. If you aren’t, wait your turn, as eventually more vaccines will be arriving. In the meantime, let’s all use a little common sense. And just maybe we can avoid that nasty swine.

For more info about H1N1 visit http://sanjuanco.com/flu/h1n1vaccine.aspx or call 2-1-1 in San Juan County for 24-hour help. To schedule a vaccination, call your local health care provider or the health department at 378-4474.