H1N1 UPDATE FOR JAN. 21, 2010

DPH Stresses Need For Vaccinations; Several Pharmacies Providing Free Vaccine

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) continues to urge Delawareans to be prepared by getting their H1N1 flu vaccinations, and now with several pharmacies throughout the state working with DPH by offering free vaccinations, getting that flu shot couldn't be easier. With DPH subsidizing the costs, the pharmacies are able to offer free H1N1 shots to people 18 years of age and older . Pharmacies currently offering free H1N1 shots are most Happy Harry's and Walgreens locations statewide, Atlantic Apothecary in Smyrna, Cape Pharmacy in Lewes, Saveway Compounding Pharmacy in Newark and the Superfresh in Rehoboth. More pharmacies will be offering the vaccine free of charge very soon. A list of free vaccine locations is kept current on the DPH website, www.flu.delaware.gov. By law, pharmacists in Delaware cannot vaccinate persons younger than 18 years.

"We're very pleased, and grateful to the pharmacies who have signed on to help us get people vaccinated by offering free vaccine. What they are doing is really a public service, " said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH director. "They are helping us remove the last barriers people might have when seeking out the H1N1 vaccine...cost and inconvenience."

Despite a low incidence of flu reports statewide, DPH continues to urge Delawareans to become vaccinated now while flu shot lines are not so long and supplies are available . It's a preventive measure; the only proven way to effectively combat and even eradicate disease.

Flu level in Delaware: For the period of Jan.10 through Jan. 16, there were 13 reports of influenza-like illness from the DPH network of sentinel providers, compared to 25 the previous week. No cases of H1N1 virus were confirmed by the DPH lab, compared to none the previous week. The total number of confirmed H1N1 cases since Oct. 4 is 1972 . There were no hospitalizations from H1N1 during the week of Jan. 10 through Jan. 16.

Vaccine Distribution: Due to a change in the vaccine allocation procedure by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the large-scale and weekly vaccine allotments DPH had been ordering from CDC have been replaced with orders made on an as-needed basis. Therefore, DPH will discontinue weekly reports regarding vaccine ordering/distribution.

In addition to physicians and pharmacies, small, specialty clinics are underway to reach specific populations throughout the state.

The state's school vaccination program continues. DPH announces the following schedule for the week of Jan. 25 for the H1N1 School Vaccination Program :

For additional information about both H1N1 and seasonal vaccines, please see our website at www.flu.delaware.gov.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.