DHH Updates Status of Fight the Flu Campaign - Total 35 H1N1 deaths

[Pathfinder]

November 16, 2009 DHH Updates Status of Fight the Flu Campaign

BATON ROUGE - The Department of Health and Hospitals today updated the status of the state's Fight the Flu campaign. As the H1N1 vaccination campaign moves forward, it is important for Louisiana families to be patient if their provider has not yet received the H1N1 vaccine, as more vaccine is arriving every week. Residents should stay in contact with their provider as to the vaccine's availability and to make an appointment when the time comes.


This Week's H1N1 Vaccination Campaign Highlights

• Of the 654,200 doses of H1N1 vaccine the state has ordered, the CDC reports that 464,100 doses of H1N1 vaccine have been shipped to Louisiana as of Wednesday, November 11.
• 860 providers in Louisiana have administered 88,401 doses of H1N1 vaccine.
• It is important to remember that even though a provider has received H1N1 vaccine, it will take time to schedule appointments and vaccinate his or her target population.
• The CDC reports on the national level that as of Thursday, November 12, 41.6 million doses of vaccine were available nationwide.
• Residents can call 2-1-1 for additional information regarding the 2009 H1N1 flu, in addition to visiting www.FightTheFluLA.com.

H1N1 Vaccination Campaign Summary

• LAIV nasal spray vaccine continues to be available through registered providers, including pediatric providers. Most of these doses have been slated for use in children.
• Additional shipments of H1N1 vaccine are expected every 5 to 10 days for the next 2 to 3 months, with pregnant women, front line health care workers, parents and other caregivers of children less than 6 months of age, and non-elderly (under 65) adults with pre-existing medical conditions making up initial target groups for vaccination.
• Every Louisianian who wants the vaccine should have access by the end of January.
• Residents should check with their providers regarding the availability of H1N1 vaccine, and make an appointment to receive it.
• An H1N1 flu shot locator is available for public use on www.FightTheFluLA.com.
• DHH has launched a Twitter feed (FightTheFluLA) and a Facebook page to help ensure teenagers and young adults, both of which fall into high-risk groups for H1N1, have easy access to up to date information regarding the H1N1 virus and vaccine.

Overall Influenza Activity

• There are now 1,789 lab confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu in the state of Louisiana.
• Estimates derived by DHH in conjunction with CDC data indicate approximately 181,000 Louisianians currently have or have had the H1N1 flu.
• DHH has confirmed two additional H1N1-related deaths in the past week: an adult male from Region VIII (the 11-parish area including Monroe) and an adult male from Region V (the five-parish area including Lake Charles), bringing Louisiana's total to 35.

DHH's Fight the Flu campaign aims to keep Louisianians healthy by promoting immunizations and good hygiene to prevent the spread of the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus. For more information on flu activity in Louisiana, including guidance for families and medical professionals, visit www.FightTheFluLA.com or follow the campaign at www.twitter.com/FightTheFluLA.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov.

[URL="http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov.http://www.fighttheflula.com/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=52"]http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov[/URL].http://www.fighttheflula.com/index.cfm?md=newsroom&tmp=detail&articleID=52

 

[JimO]

Re: DHH Updates Status of Fight the Flu Campaign - Total 35 H1N1 deaths

Source: http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/national-79/125846283151720.xml&storylist=louisiana

Swine flu deaths hit 35; more vaccine available
11/17/2009, 7:38 a.m. CST
The Associated Press

(AP) ? BATON ROUGE, La. - The state Department of Health and Hospitals says two men died last week from swine flu complications, bringing the total number of swine flu-related deaths in Louisiana to 35.

Health officials said Monday one of the victims lived in the 11-parish area that includes Monroe, and the other victim in the five-parish area that includes Lake Charles.

DHH will not release any additional information regarding the victims, citing federal privacy laws.

The Advocate reports the state has received 464,000 doses of swine flu vaccine.

Those in the target group who want to get vaccinated can check DHH's Web site at http://www.FightTheFluLa.com to find out where the vaccines are available.