H1N1 Flu Community Update - Summer 2010 - Public Health Department (DEP)

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*Listen to the H1N1 Update WebEx* presentation**
Topic:	H1N1 Flu
Date:	Recorded July 15, 2010
Speaker:	Dr. Sara Cody, Deputy Health Officer, SCCPHD
Length:	7 minutes
Info:	H1N1 Community Update for Summer 2010

Where Are We Now?

Flu activity is light at the moment, but we cannot predict whether and when another wave of influenza may appear. Sporadic cases of 2009 H1N1 continue to be detected in the United States and in other parts of the world.

CDC still recommends that people at higher risk of flu-related complications get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, which includes:

young children, people 65 years and older;
pregnant women;
and, people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, heart, or neurologic disease.

Current Surveillance Data

Between April 2009 and the present, 1,058 people in Santa Clara County have been hospitalized and 23 people have died from H1N1. No recent influenza hospitalizations, ICU H1N1 cases, or influenza-related deaths have been reported.

The Santa Clara County Public Health Laboratory performs confirmatory testing of influenza A (H1N1). The number of specimens submitted for testing has declined, and for the 11th(3/27-6/5) week in a row, no specimens tested positive for influenza A (H1N1).

PH Clinic Vaccination Efforts

The Public Health Department conducted 6 H1N1 vaccination clinics at the County Fairgrounds; 6 Valley Health Clinic locations and 5 Gardner Family Health Network sites over the past year. In May and June, the Public Health Department also conducted a Latino Outreach Campaign in which over 1,000 hard to reach Latinos were vaccinated. Since the pandemic’s inception,more than 70,000 people were vaccinated through PHD clinics.

2009 H1N1 Flu Vaccine Update

Vaccination against 2009 H1N1 can be beneficial even now as 2009 H1N1 is still circulating in some areas. Vaccination is especially important for travelers who may be exposed to persons from different countries where influenza may circulate at higher levels.

SCCPHD has 20,000 vaccines that won’t expire until 2011.

The H1N1 Flu Vaccine continues to be available for free for people who don’t have health insurance or for those whose medical providers do not have the vaccine. The clinic is located at 976 Lenzen Ave., Suite 1500, San Jose, 95126. The clinic is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:15 am – 11:30 am & 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, Thursdays 8:15 – 11:30 only. Vaccinations are available on a walk-in basis only and appointments are no longer necessary. For more information please call 408-885-3980.

Retail pharmacies are also offering the H1N1 flu vaccination. To find a retail provider near you, enter your zip code in the Flu Vaccine Locator box at www.sccphd.org/h1n1vaccine.

2010-2011 H1N1 Flu Vaccine Update

The 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine will include the 2009 H1N1 virus along with an influenza A (H3N2) and an influenza B strain, but this vaccine will not be available until September at the earliest.

Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious complications from influenza, including people with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, children, and people 65 years and older.

Prevention Tips

Internationally, 2009 H1N1 is still circulating, including in the Southern Hemisphere, which is entering its flu season.

Sporadic cases of 2009 H1N1 continue to be detected in the United States and in other parts of the world, especially in the Caribbean, Central America, and tropical regions of South America, West Africa, and South and Southeast Asia.
If traveling outside the country, be sure to get a 2009 H1N1 flu vaccination if you haven’t gotten one yet, especially if you are at higher risk for flu-related complications.
Take basic medical supplies with you in case you get sick.

Stay Well and Help Us Fight the Flu:

Get vaccinated, especially if you are traveling to the Southern Hemisphere.
Wash your hands with soap and water –often!
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Stay away from sick people as much as possible.
Keep surfaces clean.

What Else Should You Do?

Plan & Prepare…for this, and any future pandemics:

Every person & family should plan and prepare.
Have a plan if your kids get sick or if schools need to close. Employers should have a plan for periods of high absenteeism.
Visit our website and look for the Home Care Guide to find out how to prepare at home
Practice good health habits –eat a balanced diet & get enough rest.

For More Information & Updates

For more information, call the Public Health Information Line at 408-885-3980 or visit the CDC websites www.pandemicflu.gov or Centers for Disease Control.

To stay up-to-date on health issues in Santa Clara County, subscribe to our HealthWatch Newsletter.

See also: