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Dec 26, 2009 9:28 am US/Eastern
H1N1 Cases Drop But May Bounce Back
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ― Reported cases of H1N1 have decreased across Florida, but health officials say that drop shouldn't lull you into a false sense of security. The flu pandemic continues to be a killer; there were two reported deaths due to the disease in the past week, bringing the total number to 186.
Nationwide, it's estimated the illness has killed about 10,000 people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The H1N1 virus is especially hard on infants and children. The hospitalization rate is highest among kids under four years old. Overall in Florida, nearly 1,200 people have been hospitalized.
The Florida Department of Health reports more than one million Floridians have been vaccinated so far.
The CDC reports the supply of H1N1 vaccine has now reached 111 million doses in the United States. That's enough doses to lift restrictions over who can get the shots or FluMist. Doc Kokol of the Florida Department of Health says now everyone should make plans to get vaccinated.
"Floridians have been very patient. We want to thank them for their patience but anybody that wants an H1N1 vaccination can get it now, both from county health departments as well as I've noticed several of the large retail outlets are starting to advertise H1N1 vaccinations available as well," Kokol said.
"Our season is not over. We're moving into our normal flu season and flu season in Florida usually peaks in February," Kokol went on to say. "Our numbers are decreasing and we're really glad to see that but the experts are telling us that there can be another wave of influenza that comes through and the more people we have vaccinated, the better off we will be."
There's a historical precedent for such a resurgence: the flu pandemic of 1957 weakened during the fall only to bounce back in January and February.
H1N1 Cases Drop But May Bounce Back
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) ― Reported cases of H1N1 have decreased across Florida, but health officials say that drop shouldn't lull you into a false sense of security. The flu pandemic continues to be a killer; there were two reported deaths due to the disease in the past week, bringing the total number to 186.
Nationwide, it's estimated the illness has killed about 10,000 people, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The H1N1 virus is especially hard on infants and children. The hospitalization rate is highest among kids under four years old. Overall in Florida, nearly 1,200 people have been hospitalized.
The Florida Department of Health reports more than one million Floridians have been vaccinated so far.
The CDC reports the supply of H1N1 vaccine has now reached 111 million doses in the United States. That's enough doses to lift restrictions over who can get the shots or FluMist. Doc Kokol of the Florida Department of Health says now everyone should make plans to get vaccinated.
"Floridians have been very patient. We want to thank them for their patience but anybody that wants an H1N1 vaccination can get it now, both from county health departments as well as I've noticed several of the large retail outlets are starting to advertise H1N1 vaccinations available as well," Kokol said.
"Our season is not over. We're moving into our normal flu season and flu season in Florida usually peaks in February," Kokol went on to say. "Our numbers are decreasing and we're really glad to see that but the experts are telling us that there can be another wave of influenza that comes through and the more people we have vaccinated, the better off we will be."
There's a historical precedent for such a resurgence: the flu pandemic of 1957 weakened during the fall only to bounce back in January and February.
