LIHU‘E — H1N1 influenza vaccinations will be available for the general public next week and Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. on Friday joined the nation in recognizing Jan. 10 through Jan. 16 as National Influenza Week. “It’s important that as
LIHU‘E — H1N1 influenza vaccinations will be available for the general public next week and Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. on Friday joined the nation in recognizing Jan. 10 through Jan. 16 as National Influenza Week.
“It’s important that as many of our residents as possible receive their vaccinations,” Carvalho said in an e-mailed statement. “A widespread flu epidemic could be devastating to our community first and foremost because of the health impacts, but also because of the possible closure of schools, businesses, government offices and other vital services if a large number of the workforce is sick.”
From April 2009 to mid-November 2009, some 47 million cases of H1N1, known colloquially as the “swine flu” were seen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to a letter from the Secretary of HHS Kathleen Sebelius. In addition, more than 200,000 hospitalizations and almost 10,000 deaths — typically among children and “non-elderly adults” — were reported.
While “flu activity has declined in recent weeks,” experts are advising that individuals should be cautioned for a “possible third wave of H1N1 flu,” the letter goes on to say.
Prior to vaccinations becoming available to all, only “high priority” individuals, such as health care employees and caregivers for infants younger than 6 months were able to receive H1N1 vaccinations, said state Department of Health Kaua‘i District Office Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planner Moji Owolabi.
Last year, between Nov. 24 and Dec. 10, a total of 2,572 students and 417 faculty members were vaccinated during the 2009 H1N1 Vaccination school clinics, according to Carvalho’s proclamation.
“We encourage everyone to get it now,” Owolabi said Friday.
Flu season is year-round in Hawai‘i and it is “very important” to take preventative measures against H1N1 and seasonal flu to “keep yourself and family healthy,” she added.
Owolabi also understands there are individuals who may have concerns regarding immunizations and said they are “not mandatory, but we do feel that any kind of medication” may have side effects and the “benefits outweigh the risks.”
Millions of people who have already been injected with the vaccine have reported no side effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site. Some “minor side effects” of inoculations have included headaches, fever and nausea. Other side effects from the nasal spray — which is an option for healthy individuals from 2 to 49 — are runny noses, headaches, wheezing for children and coughing for adults.
Vaccinations for H1N1 will be available at various locations across the island including Safeway in Kapa‘a, the Kalaheo Clinic and Kaua‘i Community Health Center.
“We encourage everyone to consider getting vaccinated against the H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses,” Carvalho said.
For more information visit flu.hawaii.gov.
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com.
