Public Health recommends that people get vaccinated for H1N1 influenza and seasonal influenza. H1N1 and seasonal flu are different viruses that require different vaccines.A vaccine for H1N1 influenza is being developed, and vaccine manufacturers expect to have it ready in mid-October. Federal officials believe there will be enough H1N1 vaccine for everyone who wants it later this year. Initial supplies of vaccines will go to people most likely to get the virus. They include:
* Pregnant women
* Children and young adults 6 months to 24 years of age
* Persons ages 25-64 years old with health conditions that could make them dangerously ill from the flu (such as those with heart disease, diabetes, asthma, or anyone with a lowered immunity)
* Household members and caregivers of children younger than 6 months in age; and
* Healthcare workers and emergency medical service providers
People in these five high-risk groups should make every effort to get the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it becomes available.In King County, individuals and families will be able to get their H1N1 influenza vaccine at the same place they get the seasonal flu vaccine, such as Public Health clinics, private health care providers and pharmacies.The H1N1 influenza vaccine does not protect against seasonal flu. Public Health recommends that everyone at risk for seasonal flu, including seniors, gets the seasonal flu vaccine. Seasonal flu vaccine is available now at some pharmacies and clinic locations.
First swine flu victim had cancer
swine flu virus
A woman with cancer is the first person from NI to die of swine flu
A woman who became the first person in Northern Ireland to die of swine flu had been suffering from cancer for almost five years.Caroline Hoy from Ahoghill died at Belfast City Hospital on Thursday night.The mother of two young children had been diagnosed with terminal cancer before she contracted swine flu.
Mrs Hoy was buried after a funeral service at Trinity Presbyterian Church in the County Antrim village on Sunday.Lee Porter, a soldier from Coleraine, County Londonderry, died from swine flu at a hospital in Surrey on 31 July.In the Republic of Ireland, two people have died of swine flu.A man from the east of Ireland died last week. He did not have an apparent underlying medical condition.Earlier this month, an 18-year-old woman from Sligo died from the virus at Tallaght Hospital. She had an underlying medical condition.Isolated In Northern Ireland, the Department of Education said last week that it had compiled instructions for schools and advice for parentIf a child shows symptoms, the department said, he or she should be taken from class and isolated from other children while waiting for someone to take them home."Because the flu is likely to spread through the community anyway, schools are advised not to close during an outbreak, apart from exceptionalcircumstances where they cater for children who are particularly vulnerable to infection or are very short of staff," the department said.The circular to schools said pregnant teachers or those recovering from illness were regarded as an "at risk" group and are told to avoid close contact with swine flu sufferers.However, the department said pregnant teachers were not at a higher risk in school than in their out-of-work life.
A woman with cancer is the first person from NI to die of swine flu
A woman who became the first person in Northern Ireland to die of swine flu had been suffering from cancer for almost five years.Caroline Hoy from Ahoghill died at Belfast City Hospital on Thursday night.The mother of two young children had been diagnosed with terminal cancer before she contracted swine flu.
Mrs Hoy was buried after a funeral service at Trinity Presbyterian Church in the County Antrim village on Sunday.Lee Porter, a soldier from Coleraine, County Londonderry, died from swine flu at a hospital in Surrey on 31 July.In the Republic of Ireland, two people have died of swine flu.A man from the east of Ireland died last week. He did not have an apparent underlying medical condition.Earlier this month, an 18-year-old woman from Sligo died from the virus at Tallaght Hospital. She had an underlying medical condition.Isolated In Northern Ireland, the Department of Education said last week that it had compiled instructions for schools and advice for parentIf a child shows symptoms, the department said, he or she should be taken from class and isolated from other children while waiting for someone to take them home."Because the flu is likely to spread through the community anyway, schools are advised not to close during an outbreak, apart from exceptionalcircumstances where they cater for children who are particularly vulnerable to infection or are very short of staff," the department said.The circular to schools said pregnant teachers or those recovering from illness were regarded as an "at risk" group and are told to avoid close contact with swine flu sufferers.However, the department said pregnant teachers were not at a higher risk in school than in their out-of-work life.
