After devoting substantial department resources to working with health care providers and the public in order to provide 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination to as many people as possible, we awaited the arrival of the seasonal flu. Historically, we expect seasonal flu to infect significant numbers of people from late October through the end of February. Seasonal influenza and its complications annually cause the death of 35,000 to 40,000 people in the United States. Seasonal influenza also is more likely to affect adults and the elderly, with the elderly being at highest risk for complications and death.
After devoting substantial department resources to working with health care providers and the public in order to provide 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination to as many people as possible, we awaited the arrival of the seasonal flu. Historically, we expect seasonal flu to infect significant numbers of people from late October through the end of February. Seasonal influenza and its complications annually cause the death of 35,000 to 40,000 people in the United States. Seasonal influenza also is more likely to affect adults and the elderly, with the elderly being at highest risk for complications and death.
As I write this at the end of February 2010, we have still not seen the normal significant increase in seasonal influenza. Since we are past the latest time we have historically seen the onset of seasonal flu, we are hopeful that, for whatever reason, we have “skipped” it for this year. Because it tends to seriously affect the elderly, causing many deaths, this would be very good news.
The best advice always is that each year everyone should get the seasonal flu shot, especially those over 50 and those with conditions that make them more susceptible to complications of influenza. In addition, everyone should try to get the 2009 H1N1 shot when it is available, especially younger adults and children. There is still some seasonal and H1N1 vaccine available in our community, although probably not for much longer. We also don’t know if H1N1 vaccine will become a part of the seasonal vaccine that becomes available this fall. That would be a convenient way to get protection against seasonal flu and H1N1 at the same time.
We in public health will remember this 2009-2010 flu season because of the amount of time and resources we devoted to responding to it. It will be nice to get back to our “regular” public health programs and we will be playing catch-up for awhile. One thing is certain: public health is never boring!