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Nov 4, 2009 5:48 pm US/Central
H1N1 Vaccine Program Planned At Schools, But When?
(WCCO)
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Last week 137 schools reported outbreaks of flu-like illness, way down from 288 just the week before.
CBS
H1N1 is still spreading across the country, but here in Minnesota, the virus might be weakening, at least somewhat during this wave.
Wednesday afternoon, the Minnesota Health Department gave out its latest numbers on the virus and talked about how it's still affecting people across the state.
Last week 137 schools reported outbreaks of flu-like illness, way down from 288 just the week before.
A school is considered to have an outbreak if they have at least five percent of its students home sick with flu like symptoms.
The Health Department also confirmed another three people died in Minnesota, in connection with H1N1.
One person was in their 50s and lived in Hennepin County. Another person, who lived in Philmore County in their 20s also died and the third person was in their 70s and lived in Winona County.
There's also another person who died that health officials think could be because of the virus, but right now, they're not sure on that.
At the news conference Wednesday afternoon, health officials also outlined their plans to give Minnesota children the H1N1 vaccine, but they're still waiting to get all the vaccine.
Currently, 2.7 million doses are on-order, which represents the number of people who are in the at-risk category for getting H1N1. So far, only 460,000 doses are either here or on their way.
"That is our message, over the course of the coming months there will be enough vaccine for everyone who wants to be vaccinated," said John Stine, Assistant Commissioner for Health Protection for Minnesota Department of Health.
Instead of giving the vaccine to all children in the state, several counties and cities are scaling back their plans.
The Minnesota Visiting Nurse Agency is going to help give the vaccine to children in Hennepin, Anoka and Dakota Counties, along with the City of Minneapolis.
It hopes to start the process the week of Nov. 16, though health officials warned that it could be later.
Children who are 9 or younger will get the vaccine which will come in the form of a mist.
Health experts recommend children get the initial shot, and then get a booster shot later. The state hopes to give both.
Any parent who wants their child to get a shot will have to give their permission first.
Some health experts believe that the H1N1 virus has peaked during this second wave, but others are much more skeptical.
They think the third wave will hit in Spring, and therefore, getting a vaccination is key.
"We absolutely encourage vaccination, because in pandemics, we may see additional waves of illnesses. We know a significant number of the population may experience additional waves of illness in the future, so vaccination is one of the best ways we have, one of the best tools to reduce transmission of the illness," said Stine.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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