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H1N1 Leading to Increased Flu Rates, More Pediatric Deaths
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported "higher than expected" influenza hospitalization rates throughout the country in September and October, noting that 37 states are reporting widespread influenza activity, up from 27 states the previous week, and that nearly all cases are confirmed as H1N1, Modern Healthcare reports. At a recent weekly news conference, a CDC director said the agency has received reports of 76 pediatric deaths stemming from the H1N1 virus since April. Approximately 70 percent to 80 percent of deaths were among those suffering from underlying conditions. Comparatively, the annual pediatric deaths associated with influenza have ranged between 46 and 88 in recent years, and the flu season is expected to last through next May, Modern Healthcare reports. The reports follow the recent launch of the federal government's vaccination campaign, as millions of vaccine doses are distributed in the country. However, supplies of the seasonal influenza vaccine are running low, as resources have been focused on developing an H1N1 flu vaccine, prompting public health departments across the nation to cancel vaccination clinics and turn away patients, the New York Times reports. Officials also cite increased demand because of heightened awareness of the flu this year. The supply of seasonal flu vaccine is expected to be replenished by November (Zigmond, Modern Healthcare, 10/9/09 [subscription required]; Stein, Washington Post, 10/10/09 [registration required]; Dooren, Wall Street Journal, 10/9/09 [subscription required]; Pollack, New York Times, 10/9/09 [registration required]; Norman, CQ HealthBeat, 10/9/09 [subscription required]; CDC H1N1 flu update, 10/9/09).