Re: Racial Disparities Seen In Ill. H1N1 Flu Deaths
http://www.impre.com/laraza/1/1/1/latinos-mas-afectados-por-h1n1-162797-1.html
Latinos hardest hit by H1N1 in Illinois
While the impact of the H1N1 virus has been declining across the board in the country, health officials expressed concern that Latinos and African Americans lead the numbers of hospitalizations and deaths from H1N1 in Illinois.
According to Department of Public Health in Illinois (IDPH), the hospitalization rate by H1N1 in Illinois is 7 per 100,000 whites, but of 23 per 100,000 Hispanics and 23 per 100,000 blacks. Also, the mortality rate from this virus is 3 per 100,000 whites, but from 6 per 100,000 Latinos and 7 per 100,000 African Americans.
Since April this year until Dec. 4, had counted 2.187 IDPH such hospitalizations for influenza and 67 deaths.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
In a press conference organized by New America Media and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and in Chicago last week, we discussed the possible causes of the high incidence of the virus in the Latino population.
Craig Conover, medical director of health protection office of IDPH mentioned as possible causes of lack of access to health care and lower rates of vaccination. While Philip Lobelo, medical and epidemic intelligence officer at CDC, said there are still people in fear of being asked about their immigration status by going to a public clinic "but no one will ask anything." He also mentioned the high rates of chronic diseases like asthma and diabetes among Latinos.
However, the reality is that among the Latino population remains high suspicion about possible vaccine side effects and resistance costs.
MANY QUESTIONS
Tyra Bryant-Stephens, director of medical and community prevention programs for asthma at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and who attended the news conference, gave examples of questions asked moms in the hospital and what she responds :
"When they ask why your child needs two shots?, Explained that there are two different viruses, the regular flu and the H1N1 and each vaccine only protects against one of the virus and not the other. I tell them there are children that died from complications caused by viruses, such as pneumonia. In addition, the African American community, one in four children have asthma as their airways are already inflamed, this complicates his case, "he said.
"If you ask me what happens if you do not get the shot up, I tell you the 'flu' can affect your child's school performance because it can miss school for up to three weeks and will have up to three weeks after cough it go the flu, "said Bryant-Stephens.
"If we knew that the vaccine is not safe we would be giving," he added.
SIDE EFFECTS
While Raymond Strikas, doctor and master of the National Vaccine Program, Department of Health and Human Services, said several systems have been implemented to monitor the effects of the vaccine but found no significant problems.
According to information provided by CDC, the vaccine against the H1N1 virus may be received as an injection or in a Nasal Spray. In its injection, the virus is inactivated, ie, has been killed, so you can not acquire flu vaccine.
Some minor side effects are muscle pain, flushing, mild dizziness, headache, fever or nausea. Threatening allergic reactions are very rare but if it occurs, is a few hours after receiving the vaccine and the symptoms include shortness of breath, weakness and rapid heartbeat.
According to the CDC, in 1976, a form of swine flu vaccine was associated with cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), but since then have been vaccines are clearly associated with the disease.
"Vaccines are safe and I'm not aware of any special problem. There have been reports of deaths after receiving the vaccine, but people die every day for different reasons," Strike said.
PREDICTION OF CASES INCREASE
Strikas also said it has lowered the incidence of H1N1 in the country but may increase in January, when the children return to school.
Julie Morita, medical and immunization program director of the Department of Public Health Chicago (CDPH), agreed and said the disease had its time of greatest incidence in mid-November, "but still circulating viruses.
"If you vaccinate you will protect those around them, their loved ones. We have seen terrible cases of pregnant women and children who have died from the disease. Now that is the Christmas season, people will be congregating at family gatherings and shopping malls, for its part warned Lobel.
CLARIFICATION ON THE COST
Therefore local authorities still recommend people get vaccinated against regular flu and against the H1N1 virus.
Morita said that if the family has no regular doctor or clinic can call 311 to find a public clinic near where they live.
"The vaccine is free," he said, but "private clinics are allowed to collect from insurance companies or charge an administrative fee to the same patient. In Illinois the most they can charge is $ 22.
"In public vaccine clinics is free and do not ask proof of residence and mass vaccination clinics can not charge anything for the vaccine," the official said.
CDPH conducted free clinics and mass vaccination for populations at risk (pregnant women, caregivers of children under 6 months, health workers, persons aged 6 months to 24 years and people 24 to 65 years with chronic diseases).
They will be on Saturday 12 and Dec. 19, from 9 am to 2 pm; no need to make an appointment or bring doctor's note specifying the condition, said Morita.
Kennedy will be in schools King (6301 S. Halsted), Olive Harvey (10001 S. Woodlawn), Richard J. Daley (7500 S. Pulaski), Truman (1145 W. Wilson), Arturo Velasquez (2800 S. Western), Wright (4300 N. Narragansett) and Malcolm X (1900 W Van Buren).
For its part, the Department of Public Health said Cook County in suburban public clinics for free vaccine. There will be free clinics and mass vaccination for populations at risk on Saturday 12 December. By 7am will be given a ticket with the time of appointment and the people return from 8am to 12m to get the vaccine. Robbins will be in, Cicero, Palatine, and Cottage Grove. For more information visit
www.cookcountypublichealth.org / flu.
If you have questions can call the Flu Hotline in Spanish Illinois, 24 hours a day: 866-241-2138 or visit
www.ready.illinois.gov or
www.flu.gov.
FABIOLA POMAREDA
La Raza
