Posted August 24, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, Flu Tips, H1N1 (Swine Flu), Risk/Priority Groups
Last flu season, the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as Swine flu, became the first global influenza pandemic in more than 40 years. While the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the pandemic over, H1N1 remains a threat this flu season and the CDC says that “it is likely that 2009 H1N1 viruses will continue to spread along with seasonal viruses in the U.S. during the 2010-2011 flu season.” (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/1011season.htm)
Last year the H1N1 virus “resulted in substantial illness, hospitalizations and deaths,” according to the CDC. While the virus is not expected to be as widespread as last season, it remains one of the strains likely to infect individuals this season. Like other years, the best way to protect yourself from flu is through a flu shot. And while last year the H1N1 vaccine was a separate vaccination from the annual seasonal flu vaccine, this year, protection against last year’s H1N1 virus is included in the seasonal flu vaccine.
The CDC has also expanded its recommendations for who should get vaccinated. The CDC now recommends that everyone six months and older get a 2010-2011 flu vaccine to protect themselves against influenza. While people age 50 and older remain a high risk group for seasonal influenza, the H1N1 virus disproportionately affected younger patients in the 2009-2010 influenza season. In fact, the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from July 30 states that “279 laboratory-confirmed, influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported, nearly four times the average reported in the previous five influenza seasons.”
Learn more about seasonal flu and H1N1
Use findaflushot.com’s resource center to learn more about the differences between seasonal flu and H1N1 and find out more information about flu and flu vaccines by reading through these frequently asked questions. Please consult the CDC Web site for additional information on who should be vaccinated and be sure to speak to your health care provider before any vaccinations.
Schedule a flu shot reminder
Need a reminder to get a flu shot? Sign up for a flu shot reminder and receive an e-mail in your inbox reminding you to get vaccinated. Also, check back on findaflushot.com on September 1 to search for flu vaccine clinics in your area for the 2010-2011 season.
Posted August 12, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, H1N1 (Swine Flu)
This week marks an exciting moment as the World Health Organization announced that the swine flu pandemic that has officially been declared over. However, it should be noted that while not at pandemic levels, the H1N1 virus is not gone and the virus itself will continue to circulate into the 2010-11 influenza season. This season marks the first time ever that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have issued a universal recommendation for all Americans age 6 months and older receive a seasonal flu shot. More than ever, it is critical that people are vaccinated to stop the onset of a new pandemic. Officials from governments around the US are taking notice as we gear up for back-to-school season and want to make sure that the most vulnerable populations, especially children, are protected with the best defense possible against influenza. Do you know where you’ll be getting your flu shot this year?
Posted January 25, 2010 | Filed in H1N1 (Swine Flu), Press Releases
City and County of San Francisco
Gavin Newsom
Mayor
| For Immediate Release |
| January 21, 2010 |
Beat the Next Flu Wave
City Agencies and Businesses Promote “H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine & Education Week”
San Francisco, CA— One of the greatest medical advances in modern history is coming to a store, an office, a clinic or even a corporate lunch room near you. It’s the vaccine—a miraculous set of serums that has wiped out polio, made smallpox extinct and prevented the loss of billions of hours in sick leave, to name just a few of its accomplishments. And now the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine has arrived in San Francisco in time and in sufficient quantity to protect you and your family from getting sick during this winter’s rainy season when people spend more time indoors and are more likely to pick up the flu virus. Getting an H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine now will also protect individuals from what public health officials are calling the next flu wave.
If you are a San Francisco resident or worker, Mayor Newsom and a number of other agencies and businesses who care about the public’s health want everyone to get a dose of the vaccine during what the Mayor has declared as “H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine & Education Week, January 25-29.”
“We promised this City that everyone who wanted a vaccine would be able to get one,” noted Mayor Gavin Newsom. “Now we are making good on that promise. I urge everyone to use this opportunity to protect themselves and their loved ones by getting an H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine.”
Although the number of new cases has ebbed for now, H1N1 swine flu is still very much with us. Since San Francisco’s first case was identified in April 2009, the H1N1 Swine Flu has affected thousands of City residents, hospitalized over 100 and caused the death of eight individuals. During H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine & Education Week, the public will have its greatest opportunity to date to get a dose of the vaccine that has finally become available to everyone, and not just those at high risk. Vaccinations range from free to low cost, depending on location, and will be offered as injections as well as the more popular FluMist nasal form.
All over the City, agencies and clinics are ramping up their outreach and promotional efforts, posting flyers, extending hours and offering special pricing. To make it easy to get an H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine, corporate partners such as Walgreens, Safeway, Kaiser Permanente and Maxim Health Systems are promoting their drop-in vaccine services and educating the public in multiple languages about the importance of getting vaccinated. Community disaster response organizations such as SF CARD, are blasting out information to their constituents. The Adult Immunization & Travel Clinic at 101 Grove St. welcomes drop-in’s from the public and will also be offering a special opportunity to City employees with current ID. Meanwhile, Department of Public Health Clinics are holding special afternoon clinic hours for any member of the public to drop in.
For businesses who want to get their staff immunized, the Adult Immunization & Travel Clinic is making nurses and vaccine available directly at the worksite. Any business wanting to make arrangements for a visiting nurse to vaccinate their workers should contact the AITC at 415-554-2532, or go to the business website at http://sfcdcp.org/aitcbusinesses.html.
Mitch Katz, MD, Director of Health, reinforced the safety and reliability of the vaccine. “This vaccine is manufactured in the very same way as the seasonal flu vaccine. It has proven itself to be safe and effective all over the world. Getting the vaccine now will protect everyone from what could be the next flu wave. We’re making it easy to beat the wave.”
To find out where to get a free or low-cost H1N1 Swine Flu vaccine in your San Francisco neighborhood, call 3-1-1 or go to www.sfcdcp.org/flu.