December 30th, 2009 by MWilhelm

Geographic Spread of Influenza as Assessed by State and Territorial Epidemiologists:

The influenza activity reported by state and territorial epidemiologists indicates geographic spread of both seasonal influenza and 2009 influenza A (H1N1) viruses and does not measure the severity of influenza activity.

• During week 50, the following influenza activity was reported:
  • Widespread influenza activity was reported by seven states (Alabama, California, Delaware, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, and Virginia).

    http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/

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October 16th, 2009 by MWilhelm

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Hunting down the H1N1 swine flu vaccine is becoming as infectious as the virus as New Mexicans bombard doctor’s offices with phone calls particularly from pregnant women and worried parents of young children.

The first shipment of 14,000 doses of nasal and injectable vaccine is being apportioned among the state’s 33 counties, according to the New Mexico Department of Health . More than 1 million doses are expected here by the end of January.

But for now finding the vaccine has not been easy.

A few places in Albuquerque have it although you probably won’t get them unless you’re already in the hospital.

OB-GYN Tim Hurley said his patient count is in the hundreds with at least 90 percent very eager to get the shot. He gets asked when his office will get the vaccine everyday.

“This year is kind of, ‘Where do I get it? When can I get it? How can I get it?’” Hurley said. The state’s method of telling people to call providers is not working, he added.

“It’s not a solution for me because I don’t have any answers for them because the health department hasn’t provided any very specific information on when I can expect to get the flu vaccine that we requested,” Hurley said.

Hurley also said most doctors he knows are in the same situation.

According to the DOH, Bernalillo County has received more than 15,000 doses so far.

“They haven’t really told us much of anything other than they got our request and we’re in the system,” Hurley said. “That’s all we know.”

It’s the same story at every Bernalillo County Public Health office. Not one is offering the H1N1 shot yet.

Some Albuquerque hospitals received their second shipment this week. However University of New Mexico Hospital’s 200 shots were given to the infant care clinic and maternity ward.

Presbyterian’s 500 shots will go to priority patients in the hospital and to hospital workers. Lovelace Health officials said they haven’t gotten a single dose.

Hurley said he is worried the vaccine is taking too long to reach enough patients to be effective.

“We’re already getting a lot of phone calls of patients who have flu symptoms,” Hurley said. 
For now all he can do is to sit and wait. 

KRQE News 13 did one Public Health Office in Albuquerque has small amount of nasal spray left for young children. Pregnant women and children with serious health problems can only take the shot, not the nasal spray.

The DOH told News 13 it has sent the vaccine to more than 600 doctor’s offices and hospitals and that there is no way to provide a list of all of them to the public.

October 16th, 2009 by MWilhelm

Morgan County, Ind. (WISH) – State health officials say a Morgan County resident died from H1N1 related complications.

Health officials are not releasing details about the patient.

So far, 7 people have died from H1N1 in Indiana.

H1N1 Special Coverage: The latest news and information on the H1N1 flu virus

October 16th, 2009 by MWilhelm

The Sonoma County Department of Health Services will be offering free vaccinations for the H1N1 (swine) flu at three clinics, including one in Petaluma, on Oct. 24.

The local clinic will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Casa Grande High School, at 333 Casa Grande Road, and will be set up as a walk-in clinic. The DHS isn’t sure what types of vaccine, nasal or injectable, will be offered, and advises residents to call its hotline at 565-4477 as the date nears. Additional clinics are planned for November and December, but dates haven’t been established.

Meanwhile, a small shipment of the H1N1 vaccine has arrived at the Petaluma Health Center, and a larger shipment is expected by late October or early November.

“We received approximately 700 doses of the nasal vaccine, and anticipate receiving an additional 6,500 doses,” said Dr. Nurit Licht, the PHC medical director. “We are setting up all policies and procedures related to administering it.

“We hope to have our vaccinations clinics up and running by the end of October. We’re shooting for Tuesday, Oct. 20.”

This vaccine is first being given to healthy children from ages 2 to 9 and to people who live in a household with an infant less than 6 months old, she said.

Primary-care providers who serve children 2 years old and under also are part of the priority group to receive the nasal spray.

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July 7th, 2009 by MWilhelm

Govt. secures strategic stock of swine flu vaccine

The Government has agreed in principle to offer frontline health staff and emergency personnel vaccination against Swine Flu, the new pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus.

The Ministry of Health has ordered an initial supply of 300,000 doses of a vaccine from Baxter Healthcare, under one of its two existing agreements for pandemic influenza vaccine. This is sufficient for 150,000 workers.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said having the vaccine is primarily an insurance policy. “We want to be in the position of having the vaccine and not needing it, rather than the other way around.”

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June 15th, 2009 by jercobb

Though it is not with a joyful exclamation point that I launch this blog.  As I sit here, the United States has logged its 1 millionth probable case of  H1N1 infection — a.k.a. swine flu.  Worldwide, more than 300 people have died from the disease.  And it’s not even officially flu season.  No one really knows for certain how the following months and year will play out — but we certainly have some pretty good ideas.  1918 looms large in the minds of health experts and those of us who are passionately committed to finding the best treatments for this pandemic.   We certainly have the science and the scale to identify and manufacture an effective response.  The question is, do we as a nation and as an industry have the political and communal will to bring these assets to bear in the best way possible?  For my part, I will use this forum to push hard for what I think is right and argue forcefully against what I think is wrong.   And I invite you to sit down and join the discussion.