 "The H1N1 flu continues to circulate throughout the state," Dr.
Arnold said. "Last week, 67 additional hospitalizations and three
deaths related to H1N1 flu were reported in Illinois. The amount of
illness we are seeing is decreasing, but we are still seeing
hospitalizations and deaths related to the H1N1 virus. Illinoisans
need to avoid becoming complacent. The time to get vaccinated for
H1N1 is now."
Federal, state and local public health officials
came together to observe the beginning of the special vaccination
week and to remind Illinoisans of the importance of being vaccinated
for the H1N1 flu virus. After seven consecutive weeks of decreasing
influenza-like illness in outpatients statewide, Illinois saw a
slight increase in influenza-like illness last week. Although the
likelihood of a future wave of the H1N1 flu cannot be predicted,
health officials know that vaccination is the most important step in
protecting against influenza.
"National Influenza Vaccination Week is an important opportunity
to recognize that H1N1 flu is a serious disease, and while many
cases are mild, some can be deadly. There are still a lot of lives
to be saved by getting ourselves and our families vaccinated," said
Cristal Thomas, M.P.P., regional director of the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services Region V.
Since the H1N1 flu virus began to circulate in April, there have
been 2,696 lab-confirmed hospitalizations and 86 deaths related to
the H1N1 flu virus in Illinois. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention estimates that between mid-April and Nov. 14, 2009,
47 million people in the United States were infected with the 2009
H1N1 flu, more than 200,000 people were hospitalized, and over 9,800
people died.
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There is now a very good supply of the H1N1 vaccine available to all
Illinois residents who want to be vaccinated. H1N1 vaccine is now
available to Illinois residents through local health departments,
private physicians and retail pharmacies. For a list of the nearest
public vaccination sites in Illinois and to learn more about the
H1N1 flu, visit
www.ready.illinois.gov or
www.flu.gov.
Pharmacies may charge a fee for administering the vaccine,
typically between $12 and $22. This fee is covered by most health
insurance. People should bring their health insurance information
with them to the pharmacy, and they may need to submit a receipt to
their insurance company for reimbursement. Anyone may also receive
an H1N1 influenza vaccination free of charge at all local health
departments in Illinois.
With questions about the H1N1 flu, call the Illinois Flu Hotline
at 866- 848-2094. Translators are available.
[Text from
Illinois Department of Public Health
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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