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October 21, 2009
Swine flu vaccine shipments to Massachusetts are running three weeks behind schedule, forcing the state to direct local health departments to cancel vaccine clinics scheduled for next month.
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So far, Massachusetts has distributed 300,000 swine flu doses, less than one-tenth of the total the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has allocated for the state. Those early doses have been reserved for people at the highest risk, including pregnant women and young people, who have accounted for a disproportionate share of both hospitalizations and deaths nationwide from the novel H1N1 virus, which first surfaced in the spring.
Twelve swine flu deaths have been reported in Massachusetts, but only two since July. The federal government calls flu activity - which includes both swine flu and seasonal flu - widespread around the country, but here, doctors have seen a smaller rise in the number of patients coming in with flu-like symptoms this fall.
?Compared to other years in October, we are seeing an increase in influenza-like illnesses, but compared to what other states are seeing right now, we are not seeing the significant uptick they are,?? said state public health spokeswoman Jennifer Manley. ?We do expect the numbers to increase. We don?t think we are immune to H1N1.??
-snip-
Swine flu vaccine shipments to Massachusetts are running three weeks behind schedule, forcing the state to direct local health departments to cancel vaccine clinics scheduled for next month.
-snip-
So far, Massachusetts has distributed 300,000 swine flu doses, less than one-tenth of the total the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has allocated for the state. Those early doses have been reserved for people at the highest risk, including pregnant women and young people, who have accounted for a disproportionate share of both hospitalizations and deaths nationwide from the novel H1N1 virus, which first surfaced in the spring.
Twelve swine flu deaths have been reported in Massachusetts, but only two since July. The federal government calls flu activity - which includes both swine flu and seasonal flu - widespread around the country, but here, doctors have seen a smaller rise in the number of patients coming in with flu-like symptoms this fall.
?Compared to other years in October, we are seeing an increase in influenza-like illnesses, but compared to what other states are seeing right now, we are not seeing the significant uptick they are,?? said state public health spokeswoman Jennifer Manley. ?We do expect the numbers to increase. We don?t think we are immune to H1N1.??
-snip-
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