The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals updated the status of the state’s Fight the Flu campaign, announcing that 224,869 doses of H1N1 vaccine have been administered across the state.

This Week’s H1N1 Vaccination Campaign Highlights

Of the 1,207,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine the state has ordered, the CDC reports that 874,400 doses of H1N1 vaccine have been shipped to Louisiana as of Thursday, December 10.

1,166 providers in Louisiana have administered 224,869 doses of H1N1 vaccine, as of Monday, December 14.

Even though a provider has received H1N1 vaccine, it will take time to schedule appointments and vaccinate his or her target population.

H1N1 Vaccination Campaign Summary

LAIV nasal spray vaccine continues to be available through registered providers, including pediatric providers. Most of these doses have been slated for use in children.

Additional shipments of H1N1 vaccine are expected every 5 to 10 days for the next 2 to 3 months

Target groups for the H1N1 vaccine include pregnant women, front line health care workers, parents and other caregivers of children less than 6 months of age, parents and caregivers of people with disabilities, and non- elderly (under 65) adults with pre-existing medical conditions.

The CDC reports on the national level that as of Thursday, December 10, 85.2 million doses of H1N1 vaccine were available nationwide.

Every Louisianian who wants the vaccine should have access by the end of January.

As the H1N1 vaccination campaign moves forward, it is important for Louisiana families to be patient if their provider has not yet received the new vaccine, as more vaccine is arriving every week.

Residents should stay in contact with their provider as to the vaccine’s availability and to make an appointment to receive the vaccine when appropriate.

A H1N1 flu shot locator is available for public use on www.FightTheFluLA.com. DHH has launched a Twitter feed (FightTheFluLA) and a Facebook page to help ensure teenagers and young adults, both of which fall into high-risk groups for H1N1, have easy access to up-to-date information regarding the H1N1 virus and vaccine.

Residents can call 2-1-1 for additional information regarding the H1N1 flu, in addition to visiting www.FightTheFluLA.com.

Overall Influenza Activity

There are now 1,892 lab-confirmed cases of the H1N1 flu in the state of Louisiana.

Estimates derived by DHH in conjunction with CDC data indicate approximately 206,000 Louisianians currently have or have had the H1N1 flu.

Louisiana has seen a noticeable decrease in influenza transmission in the past few weeks. However, residents should still take precautions and stay aware of the situation surrounding H1N1 influenza, as transmission could increase again without warning as we move into winter.

DHH confirmed one new H1N1-related death in the past week, an adult male from Region I (Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard parishes). Louisiana’s total of H1N1-related deaths is 40.

DHH’s Fight the Flu campaign aims to keep Louisianians healthy by promoting immunizations and good hygiene to prevent the spread of the seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 virus. For more information on flu activity in Louisiana, including guidance for families and medical professionals, visit www.FightTheFluLA.com or follow the campaign at www.twitter.com/FightTheFluLA.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov.