CDC Current and Recent Key Messages, January 15, 2010

 

2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Supply

  • 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Allocation. Total pro rata allocation of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine as of Jan. 15, 2010, is approximately 139.3 million doses.

2009 H1N1 Influenza Disease

  • Overall flu activity in the United States decreased during the week of January 3-9, 2010, as reported in FluView. Though flu activity, caused by either 2009 H1N1 or seasonal flu viruses, may rise and fall, it is expected to continue for several more months.
  • Visits to doctors for influenza-like illness (ILI) nationally decreased this week over last week. Visits to doctors for ILI also are examined by region. ILI decreased in all 10 regions of the country, but one region (region 9) continues to report elevated activity.
  • Overall hospitalization rates are declining.
  • No states reported widespread influenza activity; a decline of one state from last week. Nine states continue to report regional influenza activity. They are: Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Virginia.
  • Almost all of the influenza viruses identified so far continue to be 2009 H1N1 influenza A viruses. These viruses remain similar to the virus chosen for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, and remain susceptible to the antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir with rare exception.

2009 H1N1 Influenza Disease Updated Estimates from April - December 12, 2009

  • CDC estimates that between 39 million and 80 million cases of 2009 H1N1 occurred between April and December 12, 2009. The mid-level in this range is about 55 million people infected with 2009 H1N1.
  • CDC estimates that between about 173,000 and 362,000 2009 H1N1-related hospitalizations occurred between April and December 12, 2009. The mid-level in this range is about 246,000 H1N1-related hospitalizations.
  • CDC estimates that between about 7,880 and 16,460 2009 H1N1-related deaths occurred between April and December 12, 2009. The mid-level in this range is about 11,160 2009 H1N1-related deaths.
  • The latest estimates released on January 15, 2010 incorporate an additional 4 weeks of flu data (from November 15, 2009 through December 12, 2009) from the previous estimates released on December 10, 2009.

•·         The previous estimates of 2009 H1N1 cases, hospitalizations and deaths through November 14 encompassed the peak of the 2009 H1N1 activity in the United States.

  • The latest estimates through December 12 show a modest increase in the total number of 2009 H1N1 cases, hospitalizations and deaths since the 2009 H1N1 virus emerged.

2009 H1N1 Vaccine Coverage

  • To estimate 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage to date for the 2009-10 influenza season, CDC analyzed results from the National 2009 H1N1 Flu Survey (NHFS) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, conducted during December 27, 2009-January 2, 2010, and December 1-27, 2009, respectively.
  • The results indicated that, as of January 2, an estimated 20.3% of the U.S. population (61 million persons) had been vaccinated, including 27.9% of persons in the initial target groups.
  • An estimated 29.4% of U.S. children aged 6 months-18 years had been vaccinated. Now that an ample supply of 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available, efforts should continue to increase vaccination coverage among persons in the initial target groups and to offer vaccination to the rest of the U.S. population, including those aged >65 years.
  • 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage reported in this analysis among pregnant women was 38%. That is higher than the rate typically achieved (15%-25%) for seasonal influenza vaccination.
  • Overall, the 29% 2009 H1N1 vaccination cov­erage among children aged 6 months-18 years was similar to estimates of seasonal influenza vaccination coverage (24%-27%) for this age group during the 2008-09 influenza season.
  • Among children aged <5 years, who have been recommended for seasonal influenza vaccination since 2006 and who have been among the groups most severely affected by 2009 H1N1, first-dose 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination coverage was 33%, approaching seasonal influenza vaccination coverage estimates (35%-43%) during recent seasons.

National Influenza Vaccination Week, January 10-16, 2010

  • Friday, January 15 highlights the importance of flu vaccination for seniors.
  • People 65 years and older are encouraged to seek vaccination for 2009 H1N1 flu; vaccine supplies have increased. With over 130 million doses of 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine available, many places have opened up vaccination to anyone who wants it.
  • People 65 years and older are less likely to get infected with 2009 H1N1 virus compared to children and younger adults; however, those that do become infected are at greater risk of having serious complications from their illness.
  • People 65 years and older are prioritized to get antiviral drugs if they become sick with the flu according to CDC's guidance.
  • People 65 years and over are always encouraged to get their annual seasonal flu shot as well as to make sure their pneumonia vaccination is up to date.
  • For a list of activities in your area and across the nation visit http://www.bowiestate.edu/Administration/ContentMgmt/www.flu.gov or call 1 800 CDC INFO.