Media questions: Alissa Bateman-Robbins, 503-490-6590, alissa.bateman-robbins@state.or.us
The flu is still with us and Oregon Public Health is participating in National Influenza Vaccination Week (Jan. 10-16) with a reminder: it’s not too late to vaccinate.
Influenza in Oregon has declined from the height of the recent outbreak in October and has remained steady for several weeks. Hospitalizations have slowed down and deaths in Oregon from pandemic H1N1 have been less frequent. Across the country, however, influenza activity is increasing in many areas.
“Pandemics come in waves,” says Mel Kohn, MD, MPH, Oregon Public Health acting director. “As flu activity continues to increase in other states, Oregon has an opportunity to prevent illness by continuing our vaccination efforts.”
In other words, says Kohn, “It’s not too late to vaccinate.” That’s the message for Oregon during National Influenza Vaccination Week and beyond.
Dr. Kohn says supply is not an issue. Oregon’s supply of H1N1 vaccine is keeping up with demand. The vaccine, manufactured the same way as the seasonal flu shot, has been proven to be very safe and effective for everyone, including pregnant women and children older than 6 months.
Every day this week, flu fighters across the United States, from the federal to local level, will encourage different groups to get vaccinated:
- Monday, January 11: Health care workers.
- Tuesday, January 12: People with chronic health conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, that put them at high risk for complications from the flu.
- Wednesday, January 13: Pregnant women and caregivers of infants less than 6 months old.
- Thursday, January 14: Young adults ages 19 to 24 years old.
- Friday, January 15: Seniors
“The more people vaccinated this week, the better our chance of preventing H1N1 hospitalizations and deaths. It’s the best way to protect yourself and those you care about,” says Kohn.
Since September 1, 2009, 1307 people in Oregon have been hospitalized with the flu; 65 people have died.
For more information, visit www.flu.oregon.gov or call the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline (800-978-3040).
2009-2010 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza in Oregon:
First case: April 30, 2009
First hospitalization: May 3, 2009
First death: June 8, 2009
First vaccine shipped to Oregon: Sept. 30, 2009
Priority restriction lifted, vaccine available to everyone: December 14, 2009