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Posts Tagged as H1N1
Posted November 17, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Flu Tips, H1N1 (Swine Flu), Risk/Priority Groups
A recent report released by Trust for America’s Health called Fighting Flu Fatigue provided some startling statistics about H1N1 and the impact it had across the United States during the 2009-2010 flu season.
According to the report, H1N1 infected around 20 percent of Americans (approximately 60 million individuals) and resulted in approximately 274,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths. Read the entire report here.
Despite the alarming number of people affected by H1N1 last flu season, there is a real likelihood that the United States will return to complacency in its attitude toward the flu. This could be because there was a perception that H1N1 was not as serious as it was made out to be, or because the H1N1 vaccine is now part of the regular seasonal flu vaccine. Nevertheless, H1N1 and the flu as a whole are not something to be complacent about and each year the country continues to face serious health threats.
The flu is often seen as a nuisance, but it is actually very serious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 1976 and 2007, flu-related deaths in the United States have ranged from a low of around 3,000 to a high of 49,000 Americans each year.
The flu is also costly to companies and businesses across the country as people who get the flu do not come to work, thus possibly costing employers productivity. In fact, the flu contributes to more than $10 million in lost productivity and direct medical expenses in the United States each year and another $16 billion in lost potential earnings.
Remember, getting your flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent getting the flu this season.
Posted November 9, 2010 | Filed in Flu Shots, H1N1 (Swine Flu), Risk/Priority Groups
As the country heads into the height of flu season, many people simply feel that getting the flu “can’t happen to me.” In fact, we recently blogged that a recent study found that a whopping 43 percent of Americans do not plan on getting their flu vaccine this season. This is a staggering figure considering the amount of personal stories from people across the country that developed influenza and serious flu-related complications.
Just ask Luke Duvall, a healthy and athletic 15-year-old who nearly lost his life after being diagnosed with H1N1 last year. Luke is now a spokesperson for Every Child By Two, which raises awareness about the importance of the influenza vaccine. Luke’s story recently appeared in the LA Times, and while he has made a full recovery from his battle with H1N1, he wonders how different things would have been for him if he had received his flu vaccine.
Read Luke’s personal account here.
Remember: the single best way to prevent getting the flu is by getting your flu shot. It is not too late to get vaccinated and be protected before the height of flu season begins. There are hundreds of flu clinics across the country and in your area. Find a flu shot clinic in your area today!
Posted August 30, 2010 | Filed in CDC Alerts, Flu Shots, Pediatric
For the first time ever, the CDC recommends that all people age six months and older receive a flu shot. This year’s vaccine combines strains of seasonal flu and H1N1. Everyone over the age of nine years old will need only one dose of the vaccine. However, if a child six months through eight years old received at least one H1N1 vaccine last year, he/she should receive only one seasonal vaccine this year, provided he/she has had two seasonal shots in a previous season. To learn more about vaccination recommendations for children ages six months through eight years of age, download the chart below, which shows the decision-making process on dosage for this age range.
DOWNLOAD .PDF
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 August 28, 2009 | Filed in Press Releases
The following is a news release from Maxim Health Systems:
Corporate Headquarters
7227 Lee Deforest Drive
Columbia, MD 21046
Contact: Steve Pellito
National Director of Wellness
Maxim Health Systems
410-910-1164
steve.pellito@maximwellness.com
FLU EXPERT HELPS CLEAR THE CONFUSION ABOUT
H1N1 VS. SEASONAL FLU VACCINATION:
What: As the flu season approaches and the public becomes increasingly concerned about the threat of the seasonal flu and the importance of getting a flu shot, many parents across the nation are generally confused about what precautions to take as they send their children back to school. Everyone is faced with confusing and conflicting messages regarding seasonal influenza and H1N1 (Swine Flu).
People are frequently asking:
- Does the seasonal flu vaccine provide protection against the H1N1 virus?
- What can I do to protect my family from getting infected with H1N1 and the seasonal flu?
- When will the H1N1 vaccination be available?
Maxim Health Systems, which will provide seasonal flu shots via more than 44,000 clinics nationwide, is preparing for a very busy flu season. Maxim is closely monitoring the development of the H1N1 vaccine along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is emphasizing that protection for seasonal flu is critical as more than 36,000 people die each year from the virus. Maxim is available to clarify the confusion and answer questions about the seasonal flu vaccine and how it differs from the vaccine for the H1N1 virus.
Maxim’s dedicated flu Web site, www.findaflushot.com, provides detailed information about the flu vaccination and allows consumers to locate seasonal flu clinics in their area by searching by zip code. In addition, Maxim is preparing to launch several new online resources for consumers to protect themselves and their families this flu season. These sites will explore differences between H1N1 and seasonal flu, contain information about who should receive vaccinations, and answer other common questions regarding these viruses.
Who: Steve Pellito, National Director of Wellness for Maxim Health Systems, is available to answer questions related to these viruses.
- Is it possible to receive the seasonal flu shot too early?
- Will the flu vaccination wear off before the peak of influenza season?
- Who will be eligible to receive the seasonal flu vaccination?
- What are the symptoms for seasonal flu vs. H1N1 (Swine Flu)?
About Maxim Health Systems
Maxim Health Systems is a division of Maxim Healthcare Services, Inc. Established in 1996, Maxim Health Systems offers a full line of comprehensive wellness services to corporate and retail clients, in addition to schools, senior living facilities, and Physician offices. We provide a variety of services, including immunizations, health screenings, and health fairs. In 2008, our influenza immunization program alone was responsible for vaccinating more than 2.5 million people at more than 44,000 flu clinics. Together with Maxim Healthcare Services, we have branch locations in most metropolitan areas across the nation. For more information, contact us at www.findaflushot.com/contact.php and visit www.findaflushot.com to locate a flu clinic in your area.