Dec 3, 2009

  

 

 

H1N1 Update
By: Jennifer King

The Mississippi State Department of Health is now offering free H1N1 vaccinations to high-priority groups at county health departments statewide. However, injectable vaccinations will be available only for certain individuals.

Those who qualify to receive the injectable vaccine are pregnant women, anyone who lives with or cares for children younger than six months, children and adults six months through 24 years old, adults 25 through 64 years old with medical conditions that increase their risk of complications from influenza, and healthcare workers and emergency medical services providers.

In addition, county health departments statewide are offering free H1N1 nasal mist vaccine to all Mississippians ages 2 to 49 who have no chronic underlying health conditions.

The Center for Disease Control issued the first H1N1 vaccine in early October 2009. Since then the Mississippi State Department of Health states that 1,261 cases have been confirmed in Mississippi alone. Twenty-six of those cases were from Tate County, 69 from DeSoto, and 34 cases from Panola.

Those numbers are up since September when Tate County only had 18 cases, DeSoto had 52 cases and Panola had 21 confirmed cases.

The U.S. Government has procured 250 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine and more will become available.

The CDC reports that as of Nov. 11, there were 49,855,100 doses allocated, 46,408,500 ordered and 44,089,700 doses were shipped to providers.

The Mississippi State Department of Health states that 10 confirmed H1N1 deaths have occurred since July 22.

Even though there have been reported deaths from the H1N1 virus, the CDC and the Federal Government are doing all they can to get these vaccines distributed. Local Health Departments are the best places to find out about the status of the vaccine in your area.

Remember to wash your hands, cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing, and if you think you have the virus go to the doctor immediately, don’t wait. Don’t risk spreading the virus to your friends and family, according to health professionals.

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