It's easy to get lost in all the news about swine flu A (H1N1). To make sure you're caught up on developments, so that you can take the right steps to protect your family, check back here regularly.
Swine Flu News
Review the latest news and updates on the swine flu A (H1N1) outbreaks:
- August 10 - the WHO has declared the end of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, as we have moved towards a seasonal pattern of H1N1 transmission and no out-of-season outbreaks. As the 2009 H1N1 virus is expected to continue to circulate for several years, it is one of the flu vaccine viruses in the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine.
- March 30 - the CDC 'continues to encourage vaccination at this time for all persons 6 months of age and older' because of 'ongoing, persistent 2009 H1N1 activity in the United States.'
- February 18 - The WHO has recommended that the H1N1 virus be included in next year's seasonal flu shot.
- February 12 - The CDC has reported new estimated case counts, including that from April 2009 through January 16, 2010 about 19 million children aged 0-17 years had swine flu, 82,000 were hospitalized, and 1,230 died.
- January 10, 2010 - This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, 'a national observance to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination beyond the holiday season.'
- December 15 - About 800,000 doses of the 2009 H1N1 vaccine have been recalled in a non-safety related recall because of problems with the potency of the vaccine.
- December 10 - Updated estimates from the CDC now show that between April through November 14, about 47 million people have been infected with 2009 H1N1, 213,000 have been hospitalized, and there have been about 9,820 deaths.
- December 2 - Two clusters of patients infected with Tamiflu resistant H1N1 virus strains were recently discovered in immunocompromised patients. Although there have been almost 100 cases of Tamiflu resistant H1N1 so far this flu season, it does not seem to be a wide spread problem.
- November 6 - although still well behind schedule, there are now 38 million doses of the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine available for ordering by each state.
- November 6 - both the CDC and WHO report that we have likely not seen the peak in swine flu cases in the United States yet. There is also some concern that there may be another wave of cases in the new year.
- November 5 - swine flu has been detected in some ferrets and a domestic cat, all pets that likely got sick from their infected owners.
- October 30 - the World Heath Organization's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization reports that 'experts reviewed early results from the monitoring of people who have received pandemic vaccines and found no indication of unusual adverse reactions' and that reported side effects are 'well within the range of those seen with seasonal vaccines, which have an excellent safety profile.'
- October 28 - about 23 million doses of the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine has now been allocated and ready for doctors and clinics to order.
- October 23 - the FDA has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the investigational use of peramivir, an antiviral drug that can be used to treat certain hospitalized children and adults with swine flu.
- October 20 - the CDC reports that more than half of hospitalizations and a quarter of the deaths from swine flu are in young people under the age of 25.
- October 16 - the CDC reports that almost 6 million doses of the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine have been shipped to doctors and clinics, which is well behind schedule.
- October 16 - the WHO continues to report that the groups at highest risk for severe swine flu infections are pregnant women, children younger than 2 years of age, and people with chronic lung disease, such as asthma.
- October 9 - the CDC reports that 66 children have already died from 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus infections, including 29 deaths since August 30, 2009.
- October 6 - the first doses of the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine are arriving at doctor's offices and clinics, although they will be in a very limited supply at first.
- October 2 - the CDC advises that people with asthma get an updated asthma action plan from their doctor, since they can be at risk for complications if they get sick with the flu.
- September 22 - the CDC reports that there is a limited supply of the suspension form of Tamiflu but that pharmacists can follow the FDA-approved instructions for the emergency compounding of an oral suspension from Tamiflu 75mg capsules to meet supply or that Tamiflu capsules may simply be opened and mixed with sweetened liquids.
- September 21 - young children who are nine years old or younger will likely need two doses of the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine at least twenty-one days apart to get the best protection against the swine flu.
- September 15 - the FDA has approved the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine and it is on track for delivery in October. It will be available as an injection with and without the preservative thimerosal, and as a nasal spray.
- September 2 - pediatricians who are interested in providing the H1N1 swine flu vaccine to their patients should begin to preregister with their state/jurisdiction contact.
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