Weather the second wave of H1N1 virus

THE OLYMPIAN | • Published November 03, 2009

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We are in the middle of the second wave of the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. The first wave peaked in May and June. During the next 12 to18 months, we likely will see more waves of H1N1 influenza affect our communities.

The majority of those getting influenza are younger than 50. In Washington state, as of late last week, we have had 29 deaths related to influenza since April.

How can you keep from getting ill with the flu? By washing your hands, staying away from people who are sick, covering your cough, not sharing food and drink, staying home from school or work when you are sick are all responsible, effective actions you can take to protect yourself and prevent others from getting influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

Vaccination is the best way to stop the spread of a pandemic. The more people in the community who get the vaccine, the less the disease spreads in the community. H1N1 vaccine comes to local health departments through the federal government; health departments follow the national target group guidelines for who should receive the vaccine first. These guidelines are based on who is more likely to become severely ill from influenza and its complications. The need to follow these guidelines is the reason why the vaccine is not yet readily available to the general public.

The earlier predictions of the H1N1 vaccine supply were overly optimistic. The vaccine continues to be produced and released for distribution across the nation each week. As it is released, we receive an allocation that is then distributed to priority clinics and providers in the county based on the type of patients they see (those within the target at-risk groups).

Vaccine goes into the noses or arms of local residents as soon as possible. There is no vaccine being hoarded or sitting somewhere unused. Since vaccine first began to arrive in Thurston County just three weeks ago, we have distributed more than 19,000 doses.

Counties in Washington state receive vaccine based on their populations. All local health departments have plans for its distribution, but they are not the same in each community.

In counties where patients were prioritized through their health care providers, there is not yet enough to do large public clinics. In areas where large public clinics are held, health care providers are not getting vaccine for high-risk patients.

The bottom line is that the amount of vaccine is limited, and it will take time to get it to all who want it.

The Thurston County plan will continue to emphasize distributing vaccine through health care providers and clinics. Vaccine has to be stored properly, kept cold and given correctly, and clinics are equipped to do this right now with limited preparation.

We anticipate reaching many of the target groups by mid-December.

The Health Department is working with a variety of vaccine providers and clinics to begin delivering vaccine to the general public through special clinics. Right now, we do not see these clinics happening until January unless there is a sizable increase in vaccine production.

The supply of H1N1 vaccine is arriving slowly. We have no control over that. This has led to a lot of frustration for folks who want to protect themselves or their loved ones. Please be patient; we are doing the best we can to get the vaccine out.

There also has been a lot of demand for seasonal flu vaccine, and some people may not be able to find it. Remember that you can still take actions to protect yourself from getting and spreading the flu.

1. Cover your cough.

2. Wash your hands.

3. Stay home when you are ill.

Please look at our Web site for the most up-to-date information about H1N1 influenza: www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/personalhealth/influenza/swineflu.html.

Dr. Diana Yu is the health officer for the Thurston County Public Health and Social Services Department, 412 Lilly Road N.E., Olympia. For information from the Health Department, call 360-867-2500.