Immediate Release
October 13, 2009
Little Rock— The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is providing the following update on seasonal and H1N1 flu and the arrival of flu vaccine in the state.
- Arkansas is reporting two additional deaths from complications of H1N1 flu. This brings the total deaths to 9 this flu season. The number of illnesses and deaths associated with H1N1 flu continues to rise in Arkansas and nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a flu hospitalizations and deaths tracking system that can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/ .
- The ADH has received H1N1 vaccine. This vaccine is being sent to local health units and OBGYN offices for distribution to children and pregnant women—two of the priority groups at most risk for serious complications from H1N1 flu. If you or a family member fit these priority groups, please call your local health unit or your private provider to see if vaccine is available. We will be giving seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccine at our school clinics beginning October 14 and continuing through December. We will also be giving H1N1 vaccine at our local health unit maternity clinics as supplies are available. We will be giving seasonal flu and H1N1 flu vaccine at our Mass Flu Clinics in every county statewide on October 29, 30, 31 as supplies are available. Go to www.healthyarkansas.com and click on Find Flu Clinics to see about dates, times and locations of school clinics for your children and Mass Flu Clinics in each county.
- It is important for every Arkansan to receive both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine. CDC is advising people to get the vaccine even if it is suspected that that individual has had the H1N1 flu. Lab testing conducted in your physician’s office is not designed to test for H1N1 flu and, therefore, is not reliable. Taking the vaccine will not hurt you even if you have had the flu.
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