Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
2 mill. doses of swine flu vaccine expected in Ala.
Posted: Aug 21, 2009 12:13 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 21, 2009 12:13 PM CDT
(WAFF) - Alabama health leaders are preparing to launch the most intense and comprehensive vaccination effort ever because of the H1N1 influenza virus, which is also known as swine flu.
It is the dominant virus in the state right now according to Alabama's Public Health Department.
Tests on more than 1,000 over the past six weeks found all but four cases to be the H1N1 virus.
"We are actually dealing with influenza at a time of the year that we never have dealt with influenza so we believe at least we are on the very front end of this problem and I would just remind people that as in any flu season the number of people who become ill grows as the season progress," said State Health Officer Don Williamson.
The state is working to minimize the spread of the disease which is being seen all over the state.
People who have flu symptoms including high fever, muscle aches, cough and runny nose are encouraged to stay home from work or school.
The state wants to minimize the disease's spread until vaccine arrives sometime in October when 600,000 doses are expected to arrive.
The state is expected to get up to two million doses through the end of December.
The target population for the vaccine is pregnant women, children six-months-old to 24-years-old, healthcare workers, people 25-to 64-years-old with medical conditions and people who care for children younger than six-months-old.
"It's likely this will be a two-dose vaccine that would mean we would be vaccinating people through December and we anticipate doing some vaccinations through January and February," said Williamson.
http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=10970100
Posted: Aug 21, 2009 12:13 PM CDT
Updated: Aug 21, 2009 12:13 PM CDT
(WAFF) - Alabama health leaders are preparing to launch the most intense and comprehensive vaccination effort ever because of the H1N1 influenza virus, which is also known as swine flu.
It is the dominant virus in the state right now according to Alabama's Public Health Department.
Tests on more than 1,000 over the past six weeks found all but four cases to be the H1N1 virus.
"We are actually dealing with influenza at a time of the year that we never have dealt with influenza so we believe at least we are on the very front end of this problem and I would just remind people that as in any flu season the number of people who become ill grows as the season progress," said State Health Officer Don Williamson.
The state is working to minimize the spread of the disease which is being seen all over the state.
People who have flu symptoms including high fever, muscle aches, cough and runny nose are encouraged to stay home from work or school.
The state wants to minimize the disease's spread until vaccine arrives sometime in October when 600,000 doses are expected to arrive.
The state is expected to get up to two million doses through the end of December.
The target population for the vaccine is pregnant women, children six-months-old to 24-years-old, healthcare workers, people 25-to 64-years-old with medical conditions and people who care for children younger than six-months-old.
"It's likely this will be a two-dose vaccine that would mean we would be vaccinating people through December and we anticipate doing some vaccinations through January and February," said Williamson.
http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=10970100