Flu experts warn that we should prepare for a possible third wave of H1N1 flu.

Please help us spread the message about the importance of getting vaccinated!

Although it seems as though the 2009 H1N1 virus has waned, the reality is that here in Hudson County we are still seeing Influenza Like Illness (ILI) activity above what we would normally expect.  That means the virus is still present and circulating here, causing residents to become ill with flu.  Please see below for an excerpt from a letter from Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of  Health and Human Services, regarding the importance of 2009 H1N1 vaccine:

 We are at a critical moment in the fight against the 2009 H1N1 Influenza virus.  Nationally, between April and mid-November, we saw approximately 47 million cases of 2009 H1N1 flu, more than 200,000 hospitalizations, and nearly 10,000 deaths, with the vast majority of deaths occurring in children and non-elderly adults.  While we are fortunate that flu activity has declined in recent weeks, flu activity – caused by either the 2009 H1N1 virus or regular seasonal flu viruses – is expected to continue for months.  Flu experts warn that we should prepare for a possible third wave of H1N1 flu.

 The number of people who get vaccinated against influenza typically drops after November.  With more than 118 million doses of the H1N1 flu vaccine having been made available, and with flu illness declining in many areas, Americans who have not yet been vaccinated have a window of opportunity to get vaccinated over the next several weeks which could prevent serious illness and death.  That’s why the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has designated January 10-16 as National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW).

 To this end, Hudson Regional Health Commission is encouraging you to promote vaccination within your organization, as well as to those your organization serves.  For educational materials on NIVW, please visit www.Flu.gov/getvaccinated .  Please help us spread the message about the importance of getting vaccinated!

 Thank you for your continued efforts during this public health challenge.  Together, we can help reduce the incidence of flu like illness in Hudson County.

 

Sincerely,

 

Monique C. Davis

 

Monique C. Davis, MPH, CHES

Health Educator/Risk Communicator

Hudson Regional Health Commission

595 County Avenue, Bldg One

Secaucus, NJ 07094

201-223-1133 office

201-558-0691 fax

[email protected]

[email protected]

 

Chance favors the prepared mind…Louis Pasteur