Weekly Flu Report, October 15th: A New Flu Season Begins

Weekly Report: Download Weekly Report 10_15_09 (Download PDF Weekly Report 10_15_2009)

 

This week’s flu report marks the official beginning of the 2009-2010 flu season, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control for flu reporting purposes.

 

As we begin this new flu season, it might be helpful to take a moment to explain how states track and report flu activity – and how to interpret the data that’s in the report posted here each week.

 

Flu activity in Massachusetts is tracked by measuring how many patients are reporting “influenza-like illness” (ILI) at a series of specially-designated doctor’s offices across the state known as “flu sentinel sites”. That data is translated each week into the “Percentage of ILI Visits” graph which appears as Figure 1 on the first page of the Weekly Flu Report. If you’re looking for a snapshot of the impact of flu in the state, that ILI graph is your guide. 

 

As we mentioned, this is the first report for the 2009-2010 flu season. On the ILI graph, 2009-2010 flu activity will be represented using a red line, with the two previous years of activity shown using different colored lines. For this first week, you won’t see any red line because it’s the first week of activity. Next week you’ll begin to see that red line appearing, tracking next week’s flu activity against this week’s. And on from there.

Comments

[Colleen]

I want to know if cases of the swine flu have devolped in schools do they have to inform parents of students in the school that H1N1 has been found or are they suppose to send home letters stating that communicable diseases are going round the school and they are discontinuing uses of the fountains for water. I understand they do not want to cause mass panic but aren't they required to inform parents of children in the schools?

[Carolyn]

I have a child with diabetes - she is in the target age group, but children with diabetes cannot receive the flu mist (which is all our pediatrician has received). When will the shots become available? Will children 8 years old receive 2 shots?

Also, if a child has flu-like symptoms, how can you tell if it is H1N1 or another strain of flu??? My pediatrician said they are assuming that any flu is H1N1. Does having H1N1 give you any immunity to further exposure?
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DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your questions. The first shipment of the H1N1 vaccine to the state was all in the nasal spray form. Based on what we have been told by the federal government, we can expect shipments of the flu shot in the coming weeks. Children through 9 years of age should get two doses of vaccine, about a month apart. Older children and adults need only one dose. You can find more information about both the H1N1 flu shot and nasal spray on the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/general.htm

The symptoms of influenza are similar to those caused by many other viruses. Even when influenza viruses are causing large numbers of people to get sick, other viruses are also causing illnesses. Specific testing, called “RT-PCR test,” is needed in order to tell if an illness is caused by a specific influenza strain or by some other virus. This test is different from rapid flu tests that doctors can do in their offices. Since most people with flu-like illnesses will not be tested with RT-PCR this season, the majority will not know whether they have been infected with 2009 H1N1 flu or a different virus.

Therefore, if you were ill but do not know if you had H1N1 infection, you should get vaccinated, if your doctor recommends it. So, most people recommended for H1N1 vaccination should be vaccinated with the H1N1 vaccine regardless of whether they had a flu-like illness earlier in the year. If you have had H1N1, as confirmed by an RT-PCR test, you should have some immunity against H1N1 flu and can choose not to get the H1N1 vaccine. However, vaccination of a person with some existing immunity to the H1N1 virus will not be harmful.

[Lindsey Carney]

I completely agree with young children, babies, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems being top priority for the H1N1 vaccine, I just have some personal concerns about this vaccine and would like to ask you some questions. I am 25 years old and suffer from vitiligo, gastrointestinal problems, B12 deficiency, severe anxiety, and a tendency to catch the flu often every year. Many of my family and friends suggest that I get this vaccine (though many of them do not realize the increasing demand for these shots in doctors offices). I am on the fence about this shot for a couple of reasons. (1) It seems as though this recent H1N1 panic has demanded that a vaccine be available ASAP; therefore, how do we know it is safe to get? Of course, the other side of my head argues, is it safe NOT to get it? This leads me to my next question, (2) Is it likely that the H1N1 virus will mutate and becoming deadly? I know it has been stated that the likelihood for it to lessen in severity is the same as it is for the virus to increase in severity. However, there has to be a better prediction of where we are going with this virus. (3) Some doctors are telling patients not to get the vaccine because they fear that it has not been out for that long. Many are fearing the possible side effects or consequences of this getting this vaccine. Can you direct us to a website or resource of some sort to read up on how this vaccine has been tested, etc.? (4) Comment (not question): Children are our first priority above anything. Children with the most compromised medical situations should be given the vaccine first(at the parent's request). Doctor's offices should be provided with enough of this vaccine to accomodate their list of patients in that category. This may sound like a dumb question and I am sure there are other factors involved with this vaccine being in such high demand, but what is actually the hold up?

Thank you
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DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your questions. The H1N1 vaccine is being made exactly the same way seasonal flu vaccine is made every year, and with the same testing process required before distribution. It is as safe as seasonal influenza vaccine. In addition, complications from the flu are much more severe than any possible side effects from the vaccine so it is important that people, especially those at high risk for complications, be vaccinated against both the Seasonal and H1H1 flu. In terms of posible mutations, there is no way to predict influenza viruses, but there is no evidence of any change, so far, even though it caused large epidemics in the Southern Hemisphere. Although it may change, it is not all that likely with this virus. Lastly, you can find extensive information on the safety of the H1N1 vaccine on the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_safety.htm.

[Susan]

Who determines what pediatricians get the shot? Mine can't get it yet in Lexington the pediatrics doctors there have gotten it and held 2 flu clinics. As a parent of a child with asthma I was sadden to think that it is going first to affluent communities instead of children with high risk. There were hundreds of parents and children in line last night in Lexington.
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DPH RESPONDS: This fall, DPH developed an on-line system to register all public and private provider sites interested in receiving and administering the H1N1 vaccine. Types of provider sites encouraged to enroll include private providers, hospitals, local health departments, regional public health coalitions, visiting nurses associations, clinics, pharmacists, occupational and employee health, and commercial community vaccinators. All vaccine supplies are then shipped directly from the manufacturer to the community-level provider. Every effort is being made by the federal government to ensure that providers who serve high-priority groups will receive vaccine as soon as possible.

The single most effective way that you can stay informed about the availability of both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine in your community is by staying in touch with your health care provider, and by visiting http://flu.masspro.org where you'll find a database of locations currently offering flu vaccines, searchable by your zip code.

[CC]

My children are getting the H1N1 mist today. The Dr.'s office has limited amounts but is doing the mist on children that don't fit into the risk group. The ones in the risk group need the shot vs. the mist. It is first come first served and they have no idea when they are getting the second dose.
Does anyone know if just getting one dose vs. two will help? My children are 4 and 9.
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DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your questions. Children through 9 years of age should get two doses of vaccine, about a month apart. Older children and adults need only one dose. You can find more information about both the H1N1 flu shot and nasal spray on the CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/general.htm

[Abby]

Could you please update your totals of actually-shipped vaccine?
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DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your question. The most up to date vaccine supply information can be found on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccinesupply.htm They will be updating this page regularly so be sure to check back to see the latest numbers of vaccine being shipped across the country.

[Andrew Plumer]

I have a 3-1/2 month old and my physician cannot seem to get any H1N1 vaccine for me, even though my Dr. sees lots of kids.

I was able to get seasonal flu from my Dr, but they received a very limited supply (90 doses for a 1000 patient practice.

My wife was able to get H1N1 vaccine from her Dr. but had to go to CVS for seasonal flu because her Dr. could not get any.

Who is running the show here? What good are all the hyped up "High Priority Group" lists if the assignment of vaccine is completely arbitrary.

Walgreen and CVS should be the ones running out of vaccine, not doctors' offices.

The Questions should be: 1. How many pregnant women in you practice? How many people Work in your Practice? How many parents of children under 6 months in your practice? Etc. and fill the orders in that order.

Not using whatever crazy method in place now.
-andrew

[Noreen A. Jonson]

Distribution of this vaccine by the Commonwealth and/or CDC has bseriously flawed so far.

I have 2 children; both have asthma and one has Cystic Fibrosis. I live in Dedham, a densely populated suburb of Boston. My pediatrician received H1N1 ON Thursday, and is just scheduling vaccinations for the high risk children in the practice. Meanwhile, my daughter has already missed a week of school because one of her classmates was out with the flu. It is my understanding that, at this point, ANY flu is being assumed to be H1N1. Notwithstanding, I must operate on that assumption given my daughter's compromised position.

My brother and his wife live in a far less populated area, Lakeville. They have 4 healthy children ranging in age from 8 to 13. All of his children have already receivd the H1N1 vaccine which infers their pediatrician has already been able to innoculate all of the high risk children in the practice.

My pediatrician still has not received enough vaccine to innoculate all of their high risk patients.

[Jennifer Plante]

I agree with John. It is too hard to find out about the H1N1 vaccine. According to CDC, I am in 2 high risks groups. I'm in the Brighman & Women's network. They have an "H1N1 task force" deciding who should get the H1N1 vaccine first and they are giving it only to pregnant women with medical conditions and health care workers now. If there are any left then pregnant women and children. I'm not being considered despite having a serious medical condition and caring for my under 6 month old infant.
John is mistaken when he posted that Andover will have H1N1 vaccines available this week. They have only seasonal flu vaccines and are giving information, not vaccines, for H1N1.

[Judy]

I have two children that both fit the current distribution criteria and frankly I don't understand why children with conditions that put them at greater risk are not given 1st priority. My older child (11) has asthma and the younger (7) does not. I believe that getting my older child the vaccine is a greater priority than the younger - but today the pediatrician's office who had 100 doses this morning gave all of them away to the general age at risk group. Her pulmonologist received no doses in his office. With news that fewer doses will be available, the process needs to be tightened up!

[Kathleen]

I think it has been terrible how few shots are available -
seasonal flu and even more so - H1N1.
The State Gov. has got to get a handle on this deadly
situation.

No shots are availabe to me or my children and we live on the
South Shore and my daughter is at school in Boston.

Many, many more clinics are warranted.

[John Weiss]

It is much too hard to find out where and when, to get an H1N1 vaccination. For example, I know that they will be available at the Andover Senior Center next week, but the actual times and dates are not widely publicized. I realize that this is a tough thing to keep up to date, but, the public health benefit would be huge. Also, I am not looking for the answer, I can walk over to the center and ask. However, others are not so lucky.
-John

[George Smithers]

I don't understand figure 1 in your report. It appears that there are no flu cases for 2009 (no red line). Can you please correct the report? -----------------------------------------
DPH RESPONDS: Thank you for your question. This week’s flu report marks the official beginning of the 2009-2010 flu season, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control for flu reporting purposes. For this first week, on the ILI graph you won’t see any red line because it’s the first week of activity. Next week you’ll begin to see that red line appearing, tracking next week’s flu activity against this week’s. And on from there.