State Reports First Hospitalization of the 2008-2009 Flu
Season
El Paso County Infant Is Recovering at Home
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008 - DENVER - An El Paso County
infant was the first person in the state to be hospitalized
with influenza in the new flu season, the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment confirmed today.
The infant was released and now is recovering at home.
The Department of Public Health and Environment tracks
influenza activity through flu-related hospitalizations,
rather than tracking all positive flu tests. During the
2007-2008 flu season, the state’s first flu-related
hospitalization was reported on Nov.12, and the number of
flu-related hospitalizations peaked at 134 during the week
of Feb.18.
“This first hospitalization reminds us that flu is a
serious illness that deserves our attention,” said Ned
Calonge, chief medical officer at the department.
“Fortunately, there is still time to get your flu
vaccination, and there is plenty of vaccine available.”
Vaccine manufacturers are projecting that as many as 146
million doses of influenza vaccine will be available for use
in the United States this season. This is an all-time high
supply of vaccine, making it possible for more people than
ever to seek protection from the flu.
In addition to being vaccinated, residents also can
protect themselves from colds and the flu by washing their
hands frequently during flu season and by avoiding people
who are sick due to colds or flu.
To better protect the public, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention now is recommending that all eligible
children ages 6 months through 18 years receive the
influenza vaccine. Prior to this season, the recommendation
was for ages 6 months to 6 years. Immunizing more children
against the flu better protects the entire community against
an outbreak of flu. By preventing these children from
getting sick, family members also are protected, as well as
other people the children come in contact with on a daily
basis.
Every year in the United States, about 5-20 percent of
the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are
hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people
die from influenza. Some people, such as older people, young
children and people with certain health conditions, are at
higher risk for serious flu complications.
For flu vaccine clinic information, visit
www.immunizecolorado.com or call 1-877-462-2911.
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