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H1N1 'risk is still out there' for Lansing area
Local agencies organize clinics, push vaccinations
Christine Rook • clrook@lsj.com • April 6, 2010

The H1N1 virus continues to be a threat as it remains the primary influenza bug circulating through Michigan's population, according to local health officials.

There were 265 reported cases of flu-like illness in the tri-county area around Lansing, according to the most recent state data, which counted cases the week of March 21."That's why we're still having our clinics this spring," said Christine Hendrickson, a health educator in emergency preparedness with the Ingham County Health Department. "We're still vaccinating."
Ingham County health officials, in fact, helped to sponsor an H1N1 vaccination clinic Monday afternoon at Capital Area Michigan Works in south Lansing.
Nearly 3.5 million doses of vaccine have been allocated to Michigan by federal health officials, but less than half of those doses have been administered.
As of the end of March, about 2.7 million doses were distributed, but only 1.6 million were recorded as having been given to patients, said Dr. Eden Wells, a medical epidemiologist with the Michigan Department of Community Health.
And of the 334,745 that were given to Michigan children age 9 and younger, only 148,239 received the required second dose within 30 days of the first dose. Children age 9 and younger need two doses, experts say, to kick their immune systems into action.
Opting out
It's not clear why so many people have opted not to get the shot and why parents have not opted to have their children receive the second vaccine. All H1N1 vaccines are free, although some doctors charge an administration fee.
Wells suspects that as an H1N1 peak came and went, people believed they were out of danger.
"Actually, they're not fully immunized," she said, "and the risk is still out there."
Officials continue to hope that people will get their free shot.
"It has a very good safety profile," said Pat Vranesich, a nurse and section manager with the state's Division of Immunization.
Passed around
H1N1 doesn't appear to be going away. Officials said it remains the primary influenza virus that is being passed around.
There are a few other strains in Michigan, but not many. And H1N1 will be considered to be just seasonal flu next winter.
"The vaccine will come again in the fall as part of the seasonal vaccine," Vranesich said

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20100406/NEWS01/4060312/1001/NEWS/H1N1--risk-is-still-out-there--for-Lansing-area

..........The state agency is monitoring for instances of a flu stain that is circulating in Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio to determine its severity, said Shawn Richards, a state respiratory epidemiologist.............

Oakland County health officials say they have two confirmed flu diagnoses -- one of which is H1N1, the first in the state of Michigan this season.

A 26-year-old Oakland County resident was diagnosed with a strain of H1N1. Another 37-year-old resident was diagnosed with influenza.

.......... Although the Center for Disease Control is not predicting a pandemic outbreak like last year, Oakland County has already seen its first case of H1N1 (Swine Flu), with more expected. The peak flu season lasts through May.
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The first case of influenza has been confirmed in Washtenaw County, the county Public Health Department announced today.

“The individual had traveled over Thanksgiving and returned home,” said Susan Cerniglia, public information officer for the Health Department. “Around the state, multiple cases have been confirmed. We’re definitely starting to see it.”

The onset of the flu season in 2009-2010 started early, startling health officials and prompting mass vaccinations in Washtenaw County. This season looks to be more typical.

“The peak doesn’t typically happen until late January or February,” Cerniglia said.

There have been six cases of the flu confirmed statewide in the past week, according to Health Department officials..................