Vaccine for H1N1 influenza is plentiful now, yet interest in it is dropping. This is an important time. We have an opportunity right now to improve vaccination rates by promoting vaccine, and by ensuring that all children under age 10 receive their second does to be fully immunized.
Download and read the rest of this important message from State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes, issued January 22, 2010. [PDF]
Information about swine flu (H1N1) testing is constantly changing. For the latest information on the current count of confirmed cases in Washington state, visit the tracking page on the DoH website.
It's important physicians know that current CDC guidelines do not require physicians to perform confirmatory testing for influenza infection before treating high risk patients who are suspected to have the H1N1 virus infection. In fact, the CDC urges early, empiric antiviral treatment for hospitalized patients and high-risk outpatients with suspected, probable, or confirmed novel H1N1 infection.
H1N1 links
