11.19.09

H1N1 Virus Activity

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza activity remains high in the United States. The latest report, based on findings from the week of November 1-7, included some of the following indicators:

• Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) decreased nationally
• Total influenza hospitalizations continue to climb, and hospitalization rates continue to be highest in the 0-4 year age group.
• The proportion of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza continues to increase and has been higher than what is expected for six weeks
  35 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported this week
• Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A

H1N1 Vaccination Clinic on November 14

UTMB Montgomery County Health Department and the Conroe Independent School District organized a successful H1N1 Vaccination Clinic at Conroe High School on Saturday, November 14. The event began at 9 a.m., but people began arriving shortly after midnight. There were over 300 people waiting at the school when the event staff and volunteers arrived.

Health Department staff brought one ticket for each of the 1000 vaccines available on Saturday, and they distributed tickets to individuals who fell into the five CDC Priority Groups for H1N1 vaccination. Individuals with tickets received the appropriate paperwork, which they completed while waiting in line.

Volunteers arrived at 7:30 a.m., and they started vaccinations ahead of schedule, at 8:30. The tickets ran out at 9:45 a.m., and all of the shots were administered shortly before Noon.  Thanks to having the screening and paperwork completed while in line, each of the 10 vaccinators and assistants were able to give more than 30 shots per hour.

H1N1 Activity in Montgomery County

UTMB Montgomery County continues to receive reports of flu cases, as well as H1N1 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Information reported for October and November is included in the following tables.

ILI=influenza-like-illness (may or may not be flu) 

*ICU

*ICU

H1N1 Vaccine Availability

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 93.7 million doses of H1N1 vaccine were distributed as of Friday, November 7.

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has begun publishing a weekly report about H1N1 vaccine availability in Texas.   The report released November 16, 2009 indicated that more than three million doses of H1N1 vaccine have been shipped or are in the process of being shipped to providers and public health departments throughout Texas.

Of the three million doses:

• 2,648,646 doses are for private health care providers
• 61,500 doses are for DSHS Regional offices that serve counties without local health departments
• 290,100 are for local health departments

Montgomery County Health Department received 4,600 doses.
Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services was allocated 26,500 doses.
The City of Houston Department of Health & Human Services was allocated 40,700 doses.

The DSHS report also stated that, as of November 16, 2009, Montgomery County health care providers (not including the Montgomery County Health Department) ordered 33,883 doses of H1N1 vaccine.

Reports are published weekly at the following web sites: http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/H1N1-Doses-Providers.pdf  and http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/txflu/H1N1-Doses-LHD.pdf

H1N1 Vaccine in Montgomery County

Between October 7 and November 13, the Montgomery County Health Department received 4,600 doses of H1N1 vaccine.  The Department is offering both scheduled and walk-in appointments to individuals who fall within the CDC Priority Groups for Vaccination:

• Pregnant women
• People living with or caring for infants < 6 months of age
• Health Care or EMS workers with direct patient contact
• Individuals 6 months - 24 years of age
• Individuals 25 - 64 years of age with chronic conditions

Individuals >64 years of age are not included in these priority groups because they are at very low risk for getting H1N1 influenza.

Women in early stages of pregnancy should bring a doctor's note or other proof of pregnancy to their vaccination appointment or clinic. Individuals 25 - 64 years of age with chronic conditions should bring a doctor's note or other document noting their medical condition. H1N1 vaccines offered by UTMB Montgomery County are free.

Starting December 1, 2009, the UTMB Montgomery County Health Department will provide H1N1 immunization to anyone who requests the vaccine.

The following table shows a list of vaccine received and administered during October and November.

The number of doses given will be largest during the weeks of public vaccination clinics. All clinics will be held Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. - Noon. Vaccine will be offered free of charge on a first come, first served basis. (A schedule of clinics is listed on our calendar page.)

The public clinics scheduled for November 21 will provide vaccine exclusively to individuals who fall into the five CDC priority groups for vaccination (see above.) Individuals who do not fall into those categories may obtain vaccine at the public clinics scheduled in December.

Additional clinics may be scheduled in January if supplies and interest warrant holding additional vaccination events.