To download the PDF, please click Swine flu review article PEMR March 2010.

Click  H1N1 Press Conference Release 3.24.2010 to download the DCH press release regarding this conference.

These estimates include a mortality rate of 65 per million infected children, 272 per million infected adults under age 65, and 296 per million infected adults over age 65. These numbers are markedly different from those expected from seasonal flu, which infects 5-15% of the population each year and kills about 36,000. Over 90% of the deaths due to seasonal flu each year are in the population over age 65, whereas only about 10% of the deaths due to pandemic H1N1 have been in the elderly. Mortality due to H1N1 in children and young adults has been substantailly higher than for seasonal flu, whereas mortality in the elderly has been substantially lower.

Click  Anti-Viral Blast Fax 2-4-2010 to view the PDF on free Tamiflu in the CSRA

The people at Google, working with CDC, came up with the brilliant idea to track the number of online queries about flu in each state or region, on the theory that as more people experienced ILI or were diagnosed with flu, there would be more curious people with flu going to the internet for more information. The advantage of this system is that the information can be tallied daily, providing a completley up-to-date snapshot. For more about Google Flu Trends, click here.

Click here for an online version of the article, or to download a PDF.

Please see the letter from DHR below:

All,

 Historically, demand for seasonal flu vaccine has diminished greatlyfollowing the Thanksgiving holidays. We are seeing evidence via the H1N1 Call Center and email that demand for the vaccine is decreasing among the priority groups. Providers are beginning to ask us to lower their allocations or to pick up vaccine that they do not expect to use. However, demand remains high among those outside of the 5 priority populations, particularly those who are age 65 and older. Supply is also beginning to stabilize in comparison with demand. As of this afternoon, every provider who has submitted a signed provider agreement will have either received vaccine via transfer, redistribution, or direct shipment or will have an order placed for delivery next week.

 Given these conditions, we are relaxing the restriction of vaccination efforts. Effective immediately, you may provide the age-appropriate formulation of 2009 H1N1 vaccine to anyone age 6 months and older upon request. However, your promotion efforts should still be targeting those who are at highest risk, i.e., those who are in the 5 priority populations. An email/fax will be sent to our H1N1 providers later today (and into the weekend) with the same message.

 We understand that staffing will be an issue during the holiday season as employees take time off to be with their families. We are not asking that you take on any additional mass vaccination efforts as a result of this expansion. Please continue those activities you have already planned which focus on the priority populations.

 Thank you for all of your hard work. Please let me know if you have any questions.

 Michelle Conner, RN, MS, MBA

 Program Director, Infectious Disease & Immunization

Georgia Department of Community Health

Division of Public Health

2 Peachtree St, NW

Atlanta, GA 30303

 (404) 657-4226 (phone)

 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has distributed recommendations to provide the initial round of H1N1 “Swine Flu” vaccine to priority groups. There have been concerns voiced by some that the elderly population were left off the priority list. They point out that people in this age group are at highest risk of serious illness if they become infected by the flu.  While this is true for yearly seasonal flu, it is not true for H1N1 flu. Based on public health information collected so far during the outbreak that began in April 2009, people 65 and older are LEAST likely to become infected by H1N1 flu.  Older persons appear to have some pre-existing immunity to H1N1 influenza which means they may be less vulnerable to this new strain of flu.

The people who are most vulnerable to H1N1 influenza are pregnant women; those ages 6 months through 24 years; and adults ages 25 though 64 with an underlying medical condition that puts them at high risk for complications from influenza. Most hospitalizations and deaths due to H1N1 have occurred in these groups.  The initial shipments of H1N1 vaccine will go first to the people in these groups as well as to front-line health care workers. As more vaccine becomes available, those not on the high priority list will be able to get the vaccine.  We want our older population to know that they are not forgotten and that, once sufficient vaccine is available, it will be offered to the general population.  In the meantime Do These Things to prevent spread and reduce risk of getting H1N1 flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with tissue when you cough or sneeze, or sneeze into your sleeve-not your hands. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash you hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based gel hand cleaners are also effective if you are not near a sink, but soap and water is best.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.  Stay at least six feet from someone who is coughing or sneezing.

The routine, seasonal flu generally arrives in the US in the winter months. The elderly are at much higher risk for death or complications due to this virus. Vaccine for seasonal flu is widely available and should be administered as soon as possible to those over age 65 and to anyone in a high risk group.

NOTE: on Dec 4 2009, the state sent a letter to hospitals and providers stating that H1N1 vaccine supplies are now sufficient to allow administration to anyone who requests it. Vaccine is no longer limited to priority groups.

Call number for Doctors:  1-888-H1N1MED

Call number for the Public: 1-888-H1N1INFO

Click on the following link for the “Roll Up Your Sleeves” poster. RollUp_ArmYourself_Oct2009_FINAL