Third wave of H1N1 coming?

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Third wave of H1N1 coming?

Posted Monday, February 8, 2010

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The Texas Department of State Health Services is encouraging people to get their H1N1 flu vaccination now.

“There is the potential for another wave of illness. People should not become complacent about protecting themselves,” said Dr. David Lakey, DSHS commissioner. “Get vaccinated, wash your hands and stay home if you’re sick.”

With supplies increasing, Texas health officials are urging providers to offer the vaccine to anyone who wants it but to continue to ensure people in priority groups get the vaccine they need.

Texas continues to order the state’s full allocation of the H1N1 vaccine as quickly as possible, with about 7.24 million doses ordered as of yesterday. More orders and shipments will follow as providers confirm their orders with DSHS.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has allocated about 7.6 million doses to Texas. About 870,000 of those doses were allocated over the course of this week and are in the process of being ordered and distributed to Texas providers.

Brazoria County's Public Health Emergency Preparedness' latest newsletter says PHEP’s efforts to distribute the H1N1 vaccine to as many people as possible included a multi-faceted approach that incorporated vaccinating school children and conducting mass community vaccine programs.

In the last half of 2009, the Texas Department of State Health Services released vaccine to be administered to all persons. In the beginning of 2010, the supply of H1N1 vaccine became abundant.

A decision had to be made on the local level to move on to the next phase of distribution. As a result, the Brazoria County PHEP Team made the decision to change strategies and move from school-based vaccination programs to community-based vaccination programs.

Vaccination events in Freeport, Brazosport, Pearland and Angleton have been successful, authorities report. Remaining vaccination events are:

West Columbia - Tuesday, February 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. at West Columbia Civic Center

Alvin – Saturday, February 13, from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Alvin Community College

The Texas Department of State Health Services is still encouraging all people to get the H1N1 vaccine. There is plenty of vaccine for all who want it.