| Baton Rouge: The Department of Health and Hospitals updated the status of the state's Fight the Flu campaign. As the H1N1 vaccination campaign moves forward, it is important for Louisiana families to be patient if their provider has not yet received the H1N1 vaccine, as more vaccine is arriving every week. Residents should stay in contact with their provider as to the vaccine’s availability and to make an appointment when the time comes.
This Week's Highlights
Of the 233,100 doses of H1N1 vaccine the state has ordered, the CDC reports that approximately 187,900 doses of H1N1 vaccine have been shipped to Louisiana as of Wednesday, October 21.
362 providers in Louisiana have administered 14,843 doses of H1N1 vaccine.
Initial doses of the injectable vaccine have begun to arrive, with pregnant women and frontline health care workers serving as the initial target groups for injectable vaccine.
H1N1 Vaccination Campaign Summary
LAIV nasal spray vaccine continues to be available through registered providers, including pediatric providers. Most of these doses have been slated for use in young children.
Additional shipments of H1N1 vaccine are expected every 5-10 days for the next 2-3 months, with pregnant women, front line health care workers, and adults with pre-existing medical conditions as the next target groups for vaccination.
Every Louisianian who wants the vaccine should have access by the end of January.
Residents should check with their providers regarding the availability of H1N1 vaccine.
DHH will post a flu shot locator on www.FightTheFluLA.com, showing locations where vaccine will be available across the state.
DHH has launched a Twitter feed (FightTheFluLA) and a Facebook page to help ensure teenagers and young adults, both of which fall into high-risk groups for H1N1, have easy access to up to date information regarding the H1N1 virus and vaccine.
Overall Influenza Activity
There are now 1,655 lab confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu in the state of Louisiana.
Estimates derived by DHH in conjunction with CDC data indicate approximately 115,000 Louisianians currently have or have had the H1N1 flu.
DHH has confirmed no additional H1N1-related deaths in the past week.
DHH’s Fight the Flu campaign aims to keep Louisianians healthy by promoting immunizations and good hygiene to prevent the spread of the seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus. For more information on flu activity in Louisiana, including guidance for families and medical professionals, visit www.FightTheFluLA.com or follow the campaign at www.twitter.com/FightTheFluLA.
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov.
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