Flu Vaccine Availability Increasing as Disease Reports Falling
January 08, 2010
By Joe Meloni for Body1
For doctors, tracking H1N1 this flu season has proved quite the task. As winter began, reported cases and eventual deaths from the virus swirled, and doctors and pharmacies worked tirelessly to keep pace. At times, though, the virus has fallen from the front page and become an afterthought. Maybe it’s going away; maybe we’re all slowly developing immunity – or maybe we were a little too worried in the first place.Adding to the concern – and justifiably so – at times was the apparent paucity of vaccine. Those who had it were careful when distributing it, and those who needed it seemed hesitant to get it.
Either way, we’re midway through flu season, and, while there were nearly 9,000 deaths worldwide through December, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), it looks like we’ve made it through the worst of the disease in North America.
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Hand Washing 101
Wet your hands with warm water (running if possible) and use liquid soap or clean bar soap. Be sure to lather thoroughly.
Rub your hands together briskly for 15 to 20 seconds.
Take care to scrub the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
Rinse your hands well to remove all soap residue.
Dry your hands on a clean, disposable towel and use that towel to turn off the faucet.
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“In the Americas, both in the tropical and northern temperate zones, overall pandemic influenza activity continued to decline or remain low. In North America, peak influenza activity occurred during early-, mid-, and late-October in Mexico, the United States, and Canada, respectively. In all three countries, as expected, a substantially greater number of cases were recorded during the fall and winter transmission period as compared to spring and summer transmission period. In Canada, after experiencing substantial influenza activity unusually early during the fall and winter period, rates of ILI (influenza-like illness) have now dropped below the historical seasonal baseline.,” according to a published WHO report released on Jan. 8.
The report also states that infection levels vary in Asia and Africa. Meanwhile, the WHO defined H1N1 activity as "geographically widespread.” The organization recommends checking information regarding a nation’s H1N1 activity before traveling and frequently while abroad.
Still, doctors and public officials are urging those not vaccinated to do so. The Los Angeles Times reported on Friday that all California’s community had access to the vaccine. Meanwhile, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported, also on Friday, that Wal-Mart branches in Pennsylvania will begin vaccinating for a cost of $15 immediately.
Other states are still recommending their residents to seek the vaccine out immediately. While reported cases are down, the virus is still spreading.“We are now receiving enough vaccine in the State to meet New Yorkers’ demands,” Governor David Paterson said. “With vaccination becoming available at pharmacies and within supermarket pharmacies, it has become even more convenient for people to protect themselves by getting the H1N1 vaccine.”
According to WGRZ in Buffalo, N.Y., many area retailers that did not have the vaccine in the earliest stages of flu season will make it available in the coming days and weeks.
The week of Jan. 10-16 is National Influenza Vaccination Week, an attempt by the government to alert the public that the risk still exists for infection. The Central for Disease Control also hopes that the increased awareness will change daily routines to include flu-preventing behaviors.
“It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the information circulating around the topic of both seasonal and swine flu,” said Dr. Laura Jana, pediatrician, mother of three, and owner of a daycare center. “Avoid panic by planning ahead and talking to your family about what you all can do to protect yourselves from illness.”
Last updated: 08-Jan-10
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