Influenza >> Updates

• Week of Nov. 19 
• Week of Nov. 5 
• Week of Oct. 22 
• Oregon SafeNet Data
• CDC Material

Week of Nov.19

Nation's Influenza Vaccine Supplies Continue To Increase; CDC Advises Broadening Of Vaccination Efforts
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today that the nation's influenza vaccine manufacturers report that more than 103 million doses of influenza (flu) vaccine have been distributed as of November 2--an amount that represents more doses than had ever previously been distributed at this date.

"This is good news. Influenza vaccine appears to be more widely available than ever before, and we want people who should be receiving an annual flu vaccination to be sure that they do," said Dr. Jeanne Santoli, deputy director of CDC's Immunization Services Division. "Thanks to the increased production of flu vaccine, more people than ever can get protection from a potentially very serious disease. We are hopeful that this year a record number of people will get vaccinated."

During week 5, one influenza B specimen was identified by OSPHL in a Marion county resident. Sentinel Provider influenza-like-illness shows fairly level activity over the past three weeks. One influenza B specimen was identified during week 5.

To date, the OSPHL has received 76 specimens for virus isolation and rule-out-influenza submissions. Of these, 1 specimen was positive for influenza A (H3) by PCR and 2 specimens were positive for influenza B. You may recall previous reports of another influenza A specimen positive for PCR and one influenza B that was culture positive, however these specimens were collected prior to the start of the 2007-08 influenza season and have now been removed from our weekly surveillance reports. Among the virus isolation submissions, 3 specimens were positive for parainfluenza type 1, while 2 were positive for adenovirus, and 1 for respiratory syncytial virus.

Through this same interval last season, we had no positive influenza cases.

Week of Nov.5

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is November 26 - December 2! Send Us Your Plans and See What Others are Doing

As part of our continuous effort to promote timely flu vaccination, CDC is pleased to announce the second annual National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), taking place November 26 to December 2, 2007. NIVW serves to remind people who have not yet been vaccinated that the time to get a flu vaccine continues into winter and through January or later, when the influenza season typically peaks. Throughout the week, we will be highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination for those people at high risk, their close contacts, and all those who want to be protected against influenza. CDC, Families Fighting Flu, and other partners also have set aside Tuesday, November 27, as Children's Flu Vaccination Day, with a focus on vaccinating high-risk children and their close contacts.
Begun in 2006, NIVW is a joint effort of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and CDC, the National Influenza Vaccine Summit, and other immunization partners. Local health departments, public health partners, and providers are encouraged to enhance vaccine availability by scheduling additional clinics, extending clinic hours, and facilitating mass vaccination in retail and other locations during NIVW and through the remainder of the influenza season.

• Visit the NIVW web page and add your upcoming vaccination-related activities and events to our online calendar..
  
• See what others are doing both close to home and across the country on the CDC activities page
• Engage your local media! Find NIVW key messages and tips for planning effective media events.
• Educate, inform, and empower others to protect themselves from influenza by getting vaccinated. NIVW posters and other flu educational materials are available to download for local printing and distribution.

Oregon has received over 1.2 million doses of flu vaccine, according to the latest numbers from CDC, with approximately 40% of those doses distributed to Private Providers, Outpatient Clinics/Facilities, HMO, and Surgery Centers. Click here to view the spreadsheet.
Remember this is data reported by manufacturers and distributors and it includes all doses they've shipped not just DHS-purchased doses. Also these doses may show up as shipped to a location in Multnomah county, for example, yet the final destination or point of administration may be anywhere in Oregon, or even outside of the state (think VA or Kaiser).

Week of Oct. 22

A brand new influenza virus vaccine - AFLURIA - was approved by the FDA on September 28, 2007 and is now available in the United States. Afluria is available in thimerosal-free prefilled syringes and in multidose vials containing thimerosal as a preservative for persons 18 years and older. Click here to see the press release.

There have been no new reports of influenza received for week 3 and sentinel provider influenza-like-illness rates are at zero. For the latest updates on flu surveillance:
Oregon

National

The affirmative vote on the VFC resolution to cover FluMist for 2, 3 and 4 year olds was passed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices this past Wednesday October 24th 2007. Health Providers can now immunize VFC eligible children ages 2 through 18 years of age with FluMist® vaccine.
For VFC flu vaccine so far our program has received: 100% of fluMist, 100% of the 5ml Multidose vial Flu vaccine presentation, 60% of 0.25ml preservative free (prefill syringes) flu vaccine presentation, and 51% of the 0.5ml preservative free flu vaccine presentation.
As of October 18th, manufacturers and distributors have shipped over 971,000 doses of influenza vaccine to Oregon providers across the state, compared to over 561,000 doses shipped as of this time last year.

Oregon SafeNet

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

CDC recently updated these materials on its Seasonal Flu web section:

• "Antiviral Drugs and Influenza" (10/19/07)
• "Key Facts About Influenza and Influenza Vaccine" (10/19/07)
• "Influenza Symptoms, Protection, and What to Do if You Get Sick" (10/19/07)
• "Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine" (10/19/07)