Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://wjz.com/local/swine.flu.vaccine.2.1275934.html
Oct 28, 2009 12:31 pm US/Eastern
Maryland Reports 2 More Swine Flu Deaths
Reporting
Weijia Jiang
WESTMINSTER, Md. (WJZ) ―
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is reporting Maryland's eleventh and twelfth deaths associated to the H1N1 or swine flu virus.
The latest report involves two unrelated adults with no apparent underlying medical conditions from the Baltimore Metro Region. WJZ has learned one of those is Walter Brooks, a 18-year-old college student who died last week.
"We regret to report two more deaths associated with the novel H1N1 influenza," said DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers. "We know how serious influenza can be and, unfortunately, expect more flu-related deaths as we head into the heart of the flu season. "We continue to urge everyone to adopt preventive practices such as to stay home if you are sick, wash your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes and take advantage of H1N1 vaccine as immunizations are available."
Maryland is one of 46 states reporting geographically widespread influenza activity as virtually every indicator reveals the spread of swine flu is on the rise across the state.
Meanwhile, the new batch of H1N1 vaccines has not arrived yet, but it's expected to be here before the end of the day Wednesday.
This comes as thousands of additional Maryland students are getting their doses at school.
Weijia Jiang has more on the efforts to protect young people from the virus.
Wednesday marks the start date of Carroll County's effort to protect kids from the H1N1 virus. Fifteen of its schools reported more than 10 percent of its students absent last Friday.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade at four elementary schools are receiving a vaccine. Health officials will tackle five more schools on Friday.
"I think it's important to parents because we're not sure what can happen or what will happen to the child if, in fact, they get H1N1. It's free, it's here at the school and their kids are here, so it's just real convenient," said Carroll County school nurse Doris Smith.
Still, by the end of the week, nurses would have vaccinated fewer than 2,000 students out of 12,000 elementary age students in the county.
That number will grow as doses become available from the state. But a national delay in production is creating a major challenge from coast to coast.
Oct 28, 2009 12:31 pm US/Eastern
Maryland Reports 2 More Swine Flu Deaths
Reporting
Weijia Jiang
WESTMINSTER, Md. (WJZ) ―
The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is reporting Maryland's eleventh and twelfth deaths associated to the H1N1 or swine flu virus.
The latest report involves two unrelated adults with no apparent underlying medical conditions from the Baltimore Metro Region. WJZ has learned one of those is Walter Brooks, a 18-year-old college student who died last week.
"We regret to report two more deaths associated with the novel H1N1 influenza," said DHMH Secretary John M. Colmers. "We know how serious influenza can be and, unfortunately, expect more flu-related deaths as we head into the heart of the flu season. "We continue to urge everyone to adopt preventive practices such as to stay home if you are sick, wash your hands frequently, cover your coughs and sneezes and take advantage of H1N1 vaccine as immunizations are available."
Maryland is one of 46 states reporting geographically widespread influenza activity as virtually every indicator reveals the spread of swine flu is on the rise across the state.
Meanwhile, the new batch of H1N1 vaccines has not arrived yet, but it's expected to be here before the end of the day Wednesday.
This comes as thousands of additional Maryland students are getting their doses at school.
Weijia Jiang has more on the efforts to protect young people from the virus.
Wednesday marks the start date of Carroll County's effort to protect kids from the H1N1 virus. Fifteen of its schools reported more than 10 percent of its students absent last Friday.
Students in kindergarten through fifth grade at four elementary schools are receiving a vaccine. Health officials will tackle five more schools on Friday.
"I think it's important to parents because we're not sure what can happen or what will happen to the child if, in fact, they get H1N1. It's free, it's here at the school and their kids are here, so it's just real convenient," said Carroll County school nurse Doris Smith.
Still, by the end of the week, nurses would have vaccinated fewer than 2,000 students out of 12,000 elementary age students in the county.
That number will grow as doses become available from the state. But a national delay in production is creating a major challenge from coast to coast.