Since Sept. 1, 2009, 1,015 people have been hospitalized in Oregon with influenza-like illness; 33 people have died in 12 Oregon counties.

People who are at high risk for severe illness and complications from the flu should seek medical advice as soon as flu symptoms appear. Antiviral therapy early in an influenza-like illness may reduce the severity of the symptoms and additional complications.

“People in high-risk groups such as pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions should talk to their health care provider as soon as they develop symptoms, especially fever,” says Mel Kohn, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon Public Health acting director.   

Private drug manufacturers are steadily shipping the H1N1 influenza vaccine into Oregon, with larger shipments arriving each week. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has allocated another 139,400 doses expected by Friday, Nov. 13, bringing the cumulative total to enough doses to vaccinate 24 percent of the priority group.

The priority group includes population groups designated by the CDC: pregnant women, children and young people aged 6 months to 24 years, health care providers, people caring for infants under 6 months, and people with underlying health conditions. Oregon added front line law enforcement and safety workers to the priority group to ensure that we have adequate public safety workers to keep Oregonians safe.

Kohn says that people in the priority group, especially those with underlying health conditions, are encouraged to find the vaccine. “Local heath departments are balancing the dose allocation to both public clinics and private health care providers to ensure equal access to the vaccine,” says Kohn.

Flu clinics operate locally with the assistance of county public health departments. The Oregon Public Health Division surveys the counties on a regular basis and keeps information current at www.flu.oregon.gov and the Oregon Public Health flu hotline at 1-800-978-3040.

For more information on H1N1 flu and vaccines, call the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline at 1-800-978-3040.