The California Department of Public Health, CDPH, yesterday reported that swine flu deaths in California have now reached 266 since the pandemic began this spring. Hospitalizations now exceed 4,800 statewide. In Orange County, deaths are at 24 while ICU hospitalizations are at 117.

The county Hospitalizations include only ICU cases, so the actual number is most likely higher. In fact, according to a study conducted by CDPH’s Dr. Janice Louie, only about 30% of California H1N1 hospitalizations required intensive care. The study also found a 15% death rate in H1N1 hospitalizations in California during the first wave of the pandemic.

Virtually every public health official is encouraging everybody to get the H1N1 vaccination, but the supply is way behind schedule. According to Dr. Gil Chavez, State Epidemiologist, CDPH, “Influenza activity continues to increase throughout the state. Serious cases have increased dramatically. This is very unusual for an influenza season, especially for this time of year.” Yesterday, he said “For the last week alone, 773 people in the state were hospitalized because of H1N1 and 17 people died as a result of H1N1. Thousands of outbreaks continue to be reported throughout the state.”

Yesterday, Dr. Chavez said “The CDC expected to provide about 6.25 million doses to California by now. We have been allocated only half of that amount and the situation remains very fluid.” The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has established a group of people who have priority for the vaccination. The county and state are following those guidelines by distributing the vaccine to providers most likely to serve those in the priority group.

The first priority group includes: 1) pregnant women, 2) people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, 3) healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, 4) persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age, and 5) people from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza complications because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.

According to Dr. Chavez , there is no differentiation for people among these various groups. So, if you fit into one of these priority designations, you are eligible in the first wave of people to get the vaccine.

For pregnant women, who are such a high priority that they have their own group, the death rate from H1N1 is 6 times their proportion of the population. According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, “Pregnant women have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality from both 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza.” . Pregnant women should be vaccinated against both 2009 H1N1 and seasonal influenza.

The vaccine for both versions of the flu may be taken at the same time. Dr. Chavez said “You can get them at the same time, or you can get them separately, but we do encourage people to get vaccinated for seasonal influenza as well as H1N1.”

The Orange County Health Care Agency posted the following information on their (click here to go to the site) website as of 11/05/09:

Due to the risk of severe illness from pandemic H1N1 influenza in pregnant women, Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) will offer H1N1 flu shots to pregnant women who are residents of Orange County by appointment only starting Friday, October 30, 2009.
• The H1N1 vaccine offered to pregnant women in HCA clinics is thimerasol (mercury preservative) free
• No doctor's referral is required
• The vaccination is free
Please call 1-800-564-8448 to make an appointment if you are pregnant and would like to be vaccinated.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
(Closed for lunch from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM)

Clinic location:
County of Orange Health Care Agency
1725 W. Seventeenth Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706

Free Parking
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County of Orange Health Care Agency
H1N1 Influenza Vaccination Clinics
Nasal spray or injectable H1N1 influenza vaccine will be available for the following Orange County residents:
• Any child 2 through 18 years of age, or
• Persons who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age, or
• Health care and emergency medical services personnel who have direct (physical) contact with patients (employment documentation required)
Saturday, November 7, 2009 - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Clinic locations:
Cox Communications
Patio Area
29947 Avenida De Las Banderas
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Fullerton College
Building 840
321 East Chapman Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832

Cypress City Hall
City Hall Breezeway
5275 Orange Ave
Cypress, CA 90630
For more information please call the Health Care Agency's Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448.