H1N1 Update

H1N1(A) Influenza Update

South Dakota Department of Health
Friday, September 11, 2009

The Department of Health provides this weekly update about H1N1 influenza preparedness and prevention efforts. It is distributed every Friday and is archived on the web at http://doh.sd.gov/H1N1/.

General Information
H1N1(A) continues to present as moderate illness
Southeastern US seeing most cases but pattern is same- affecting younger age groups, few hospitalizations, no change in virus
Pregnant women, young children, those with chronic health conditions most at risk; elderly less affected, may have immunity due to previous exposure to similar viruses

SD Case Information
135 total cases reported in 27 counties; 3 total hospitalizations updates posted every Friday at http://doh.sd.gov/H1N1/surveillance.aspx

New Guidance & Resources
CDC guidance for antiviral use - http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm antivirals should be reserved for those at high risk overuse is a concern
Chart illustrating which groups should get H1N1 vaccine and which should get seasonal flu vaccine - http://doh.sd.gov/H1N1/PDF/H1N1targetgroups.pdf
SD H1N1 news releases - http://doh.sd.gov/News/2009.aspx
CDC H1N1 website http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/

Vaccine Information
CDC indicates preliminary data shows H1N1 flu vaccine is producing immunity in adults after 1 dose. If confirmed and FDA-approved, this is good news and means we can cover more people more quickly and conveniently. Results in children not yet available; vaccine-induced immunity after a single dose of seasonal flu vaccine is limited for kids under 9, making it more likely that they may need two doses of H1N1 vaccine.
SD to receive about 110,000 doses by mid-October, 48,000 doses weekly thereafter
Initial doses targeted to groups at highest risk for H1N1
o Pregnant women
o People who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months
o Children 6 months to 4 years
o Children 5-18 years with chronic health conditions
o Health care and emergency medical services workers (hospitals manage distribution of vaccine to health care workers; ambulance services for EMS)
As more vaccine available, it will be administered beyond priority groups
Federal govt will purchase vaccine, supplies to administer it and distribute to states
Vaccination is voluntary
Vaccine is free but some providers may charge an administration fee
Seasonal flu vaccine should be given as soon as available to appropriate target groups; SD reported 525 hospitalizations for seasonal flu last year and 4 deaths