Dominic Baez – Editor-in-chief. While supposed cases of the H1N1 virus have bounced around Linfield for the last few months, most have been mild to moderate. Students, faculty and staff members are sometimes confined to their rooms or homes, feeling sore and tired. However, most spring back in a few days, ready to go. This is not the case everywhere, however.
Nearly 3,900 people in the United States, including about 540 children, are believed to have died from H1N1 during the first six months of the epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Nov. 12.
The figure was based on a detailed analysis of data from dozens of districts across the country using a similar method to calculate estimates of ordinary seasonal flu deaths.
An estimated 22 million people in the United States have contracted the virus, resulting in nearly 98,000 hospitalizations through Oct. 17.
At the moment, 41.6 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine are available, three million more than last week. The Department of Health and Human Services has ordered 75 million doses of the vaccine for delivery by year’s end.
However, production delays have stymied these plans, resulting in criticism of production methods. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Nov. 10 revealed that “Americans are starting to lose confidence in the government’s ability to prevent a nationwide epidemic, though a narrow majority continue to say that the government and private industry will eventually produce enough of the vaccine to inoculate everyone who wants it.”
As for Yamhill County, Yamhill County Public Health has ceased taking vaccination appointments for both the seasonal and H1N1 flu until it receives additional supplies of both. According to a Nov. 7 story in the News-Register, “Spokeswoman Sarah Bates said the H1N1 vaccine is currently being offered only to people in high-risk groups — pregnant women, children 6 months to 5 years of age and parents, siblings and caregivers of infants under 6 months.”
The department is also out of seasonal flu vaccines, but it is expecting new shipments soon. However, the Linfield Student Health Center still has seasonal flu vaccinations. They cost $30.
Private clinics, including the health center, and pharmacies have yet to receive the H1N1 vaccine.
According to the Oregon Health Division Web site, 21 people from Yamhill County have been hospitalized as a result of the H1N1 flu since Sept. 1, and there has been one fatality.
H1N1 vaccinations are free; the federal government is paying for them.
For more information regarding H1N1 and what Linfield is doing about the epidemic, visit www.linfield.edu/flu.