H1N1 Influenza Takes Toll;
Vaccination Most Effective Protection Against Flu
DENVER– Thus far, the 2009-10 H1N1 flu season has
resulted in the death of 61 Coloradans, according to officials at the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Flu-related deaths
are reported on the department’s Web site:
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/Influenza/index.html
“H1N1 flu cases continue to be reported in the
state – and the good news is there is an ample vaccine supply
for all Coloradans who want to be protected from this flu,” said
Ned Calonge, chief medical officer. “During this week – National
Influenza Vaccination Week – the tragic flu-related deaths are
an important reminder of the importance of vaccination. Flu
vaccinations are our best defense against this disease, and it’s
not too late to get vaccinated against H1N1 influenza.”
People aged 50 to 64 had the highest H1N1
flu-related death rate of 1.94 per 100,000 of the population.
While the pediatric death rate was 0.83 per 100,000, the 11
pediatric deaths this season marked the second-highest number of
pediatric flu-related deaths since the state began tracking in
the 2003-04 flu season, when there were 12 deaths.
For four consecutive flu seasons between 2004
and 2007, there had not been more than two pediatric deaths in
any season. Last flu season, 2008-09, that number jumped to
seven pediatric deaths from flu.
Flu-related hospitalizations also are tracking
much higher this flu season compared to last season. Flu-related
hospitalizations have doubled, from 1,004 last season to 2,016
so far this season.
Very young children have been hospitalized at a
very high rate this flu season, as has been seen in past flu
seasons. Children younger than 6 months old represent just 5.5
percent of all hospitalizations but have the highest
hospitalization rate (312 hospitalizations per 100,000
population in that age group), which is nearly 10 times the
hospitalization rates for the age groups 5-18 years, 19-24
years, and 25-49 years.
“It is not too late to get vaccinated to protect
yourself from H1N1 flu,” added Calonge. “While the H1N1 wave
appears to be well behind us, it’s difficult to predict how the
virus will behave through the rest of the usual flu months, or
in the upcoming spring and summer. Vaccination will protect us
against additional outbreaks or sporadic infections until next
year’s season, so we are encouraging Coloradans to get
immunized.”
For more information on flu, including locations
of flu clinics, visit the Colorado Adult Immunization
Coalition’s Web site at
http://www.immunizecolorado.com or call Colorado’s CO HELP
hotline at 1-877-462-2911.
---30---
State of Colorado,
Department
Home
|
