For the first time since the H1N1 pandemic became a major statewide concern, yesterday California Department of Public Health Director Dr. Mark Horton downgraded the state’s characterization of the disease‘s prominence in California. Previous to this week, the state was said to have “widespread disease”. That means that more than 50% of the state’s 6 regions were reporting outbreaks of influenza like illnesses which were higher than normal for this time of year. Now, only two of the regions, including Southern California, are experiencing higher than normal flu activity. Thus, the presence of H1N1 in California is considered to be “regional”, rather than “widespread”.

Dr. Horton went to great lengths to explain that there is “still significant threat for California” and people are still being hospitalized and dying. He said “A significant portion of the population remains susceptible to this virus. If you total the number of individuals we expect have probably been infected, with those that have been vaccinated, we’re still expecting that half or more of the population is susceptible to this virus.”

The statewide total for H1N1 hospitalizations now stands at 8,308, and statewide deaths are at 470. Both numbers are the lowest since the state began reporting weekly pandemic data last year.

For Orange County, two more people succumbed to the illness during the last two weeks, bringing the county total deaths to 52. A total of 214 H1N1 patients have been admitted to intensive care units in Orange County hospitals since the pandemic began last spring.

Dr. Horton continues to strongly recommend that all people get vaccinated for H1N1 and He indicated the vaccine is now plentiful in California. “We now feel that there is adequate availability of vaccine throughout the state to encourage all individuals in California to get vaccinated against H1N1.”

Dr. Horton indicated that the federal government has started distributing the vaccine to retail pharmacy chains. Thus, the vaccine is available at some local pharmacies in addition to the county clinics and doctors’ offices. Earlier in the week, CVS/pharmacy announced it has expanded the availability of H1N1 flu vaccine to more than 220 selected stores throughout California, including Orange County.

"We are pleased to be able to expand H1N1 vaccine availability to more CVS/pharmacy locations in California," said Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, CVS Caremark. "H1N1 flu is currently active in many communities and it is likely that we will see increased flu activity, as is typically the case, in January and February.” Dr. Horton agreed. “We fully expect to see increased activity as is normally reflected during this season.”

This expected increase in flu activity may be another wave of H1N1, or it may be the regular seasonal flu. The H1N1 vaccine does not protect against seasonal flu, so to be safe, a person needs both vaccinations.

To check if your local CVS has the vaccine, call 1-888-FLU-SHOT. Vaccine availability is updated daily. The cost of the H1N1 flu vaccination shot at CVS/pharmacy and MinuteClinic is a $15 administration fee, which may be covered by insurance.