Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

HHS′ Assistant Secretary for Legislation is also hosting periodic telebriefings on 2009 H1N1. The 2009 H1N1 Influenza Update is issued every two weeks unless events dictate otherwise. Questions should be directed to CDC/Washington at 202-245-0600.

Note: Green text indicates new information. Black text indicates background and other information also included in previous updates.

February 19, 2010 (Winter 2010; Issue 5)

Contents: 
Note: click on these headings and express to these sections; this will work on Blackberry devices if you first select “More All” to download the full text.

• Current 2009 H1N1 Situation Update
• 2009 H1N1 Vaccine Supply
• Shortened Expiration Period For Sanofi Pasteur 2009 H1N1 Vaccine
• Late Flu Season Recommendations
• Influenza and Hispanic Communities
• Key CDC Tools and Guidance on Prevention and Control
• New H1N1 Reports
• Media Updates and Webcasts

Current 2009 H1N1 Situation Update

CDC currently reports H1N1 surveillance in two ways: 1) reporting of laboratory confirmed hospitalizations and deaths, and 2) a newer approach that provides an estimated range of the total number of 2009 H1N1 influenza associated hospitalizations and deaths using a new model.  The laboratory confirmed update is provided below; an updated estimate based on the model will be included in this summary every three to four weeks as it is available. 

Laboratory Confirmed Report

In the U.S. from August 30, 2009 – February 13, 2010, 40,302 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations and 1,966 laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated deaths were reported to CDC.

A total of 277 deaths in children associated with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been reported to CDC.

Influenza Activity

Currently, no states are reporting widespread influenza activity. Three states are reporting regional influenza activity. See map below for updated view of influenza in the U.S.

Questions and answers regarding flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in the United States from April 2009- January 20, 2010 are available here.

More information regarding 2009 H1N1 influenza activity can be viewed here.

More information about CDC’s 2009 H1N1 influenza surveillance system is available here.

Weekly updates on the global 2009 H1N1 influenza situation can be found here.

2009 H1N1 Vaccine Supply 

All states have opened up 2009 H1N1 vaccination to anyone who wants it. This vaccine is the best way to protect against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic virus. Those who patiently waited to receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine are now encouraged to get vaccinated. State-by-state H1N1 vaccine supply numbers are available here.

Shortened Expiration Period for Sanofi Pasteur 2009 H1N1 Vaccine

To ensure that its vaccine meets potency standards, vaccine manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur is shortening the expiration period of all its 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in pre-filled syringes. During the week of February 1st health care providers who received shipments from the affected lots were informed that all lots of monovalent 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine in pre-filled syringes manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur needed to be administered by February 15, 2010 regardless of the expiration imprinted on the package.

There are no safety concerns with these lots of 2009 H1N1 vaccine and people who received vaccine from the lots with shortened shelf life do not need to take any action. Read more about the shortened expiration period here.

Late Flu Season Recommendations

Though influenza activity has decreased, the flu season is not over yet. Increased activity from either seasonal flu, 2009 H1N1, or both are still possible this season. It’s still important to get vaccinated against the flu and be as prepared as possible if activity increases again this season.

The www.flu.gov vaccine locator is available here. Additional late season recommendations regarding 2009 H1N1 flu and vaccination are available here.

Influenza and Hispanic Communities

A new CDC document, 2009 H1N1 and Seasonal Flu and Hispanic Communities: Questions and Answers, summarizes current understanding of the impact of 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza viruses on Hispanics, describes some of the barriers to uptake of 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccines, and outlines potential strategies for improving health and increasing vaccine coverage in Hispanic communities. Although Hispanics comprise approximately 15% of the US population, they were overrepresented in the enhanced surveillance case reports during the early spring wave of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, comprising about 30% of all reported cases. This is not unexpected since 2009 H1N1 was first identified in US cities with large Hispanic populations. Furthermore, Hispanic children younger than 18 years of age account for 27% of 210 reported 2009 H1N1 influenza-associated deaths in the United States. Their representation in the US population is 21%. Factors contributing to 2009 H1N1 flu’s impact on Hispanic communities include age distribution and disparities in certain underlying high-risk conditions. More information on influenza and Hispanic communities is available here.

Key CDC Tools and Guidance on Prevention and Control

CDC has issued (or updated) guidance to help individuals, schools, businesses, and others take steps to avoid the flu and deal with its consequences.  All guidance can be accessed at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/. Below, we have provided direct links to a sampling of key guidance that may be of interest.

Guidance for Child Care Programs, Schools, Colleges and Universities

Guidance for Schools

Guidance for Institutions of Higher Learning

Guidance for Childcare Facilities

Business and Employer Guidance

Guidance for Business, Employers and Workplaces

Clinician Guidance

Updated Guidance for the use of Antiviral Medications

Guidance for Pregnant Women

Information for Pregnant Women Working in Education, Child Care, and Health Care Settings

Tools for Providers of Children with High Risk Conditions

Abbreviated Pandemic Influenza Plan Template for Primary Care Provider Offices: Guidance from Stakeholders

Guidance for Patients and Caretakers

Guidance for Patients and Caretakers (and here)

2009 H1N1 Flu Information for People with Disabilities and Their Caregivers or Personal Assistants

Guidance for Community Settings and Community Planners
Guidance for Community Settings

Guidance from Pediatric Stakeholders: A Coordinated Approach to Communicating Pediatric-related Information on Pandemic Influenza at the Community Level

New H1N1 Reports

During January, there were several new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) reports regarding 2009 H1N1 flu. These include (from the most recent):

1) A January 29th report detailing outbreaks of 2009 H1N1 Influenza among long-term care facility (LTCF) residents in three states: Colorado, Maine, and New York. These outbreaks illustrate that, despite the lower risk for infection with 2009 H1N1 among persons aged ≥65 years compared with seasonal influenza, 2009 H1N1 outbreaks still can occur in LTCFs. These outbreaks also underscore the importance of respiratory illness surveillance and recommended infection-control procedures in LTCFs. The report is available here.

2) A report summarizing influenza activity in the United States from August 30, 2009 to January 9, 2010. The report includes information on viral surveillance, antiviral resistance, state-specific activity levels, outpatient influenza-like illness surveillance, influenza-associated hospitalizations, and pneumonia and influenza-related mortality. Read the report here.

3) A report estimating 2009 H1N1 vaccination coverage to date for the 2009-2010 influenza season. The results indicated that, as of January 2, an estimated 20.3% of the U.S. population (61 million persons) had been vaccinated, including 27.9% of persons in the initial target groups and 37.5% of those in the limited vaccine subset. An estimated 29.4% of U.S. children aged 6 months--18 years had been vaccinated. Read the report here.

Media Updates and Webcasts

CDC conducts regular media updates and briefings regarding 2009 H1N1 Influenza. Transcripts of these briefings, as well as audio recordings, are available here.

A radio-ready PSA urging individuals to get the 2009 H1N1 vaccine is available here.

A variety of webcasts are also available on www.flu.gov.

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