H1N1 vaccine available; Flu may peak in January

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There is good news and bad news concerning the H1N1 influenza virus in Jasper County. While there is now plenty of vaccine in the area to vaccinate everyone within the eligibility guidelines, officials are expecting the flu symptoms to peak in January.

Susan Howell, vice-president of patient care at Skiff Medical Center, told the Skiff Board of Trustees on Wednesday that there have been 19 admissions with flu-like symptoms during the month of October. Three of those admissions were confirmed with the H1N1.

Howell said Skiff has distributed 4,851 doses of the H1N1 vaccine to 15 health care partners throughout Jasper County, including outlying clinics and pharmacies. She reported that a recent H1N1 clinic at the Newton high school only drew 105 residents for the shots.

The bad news is that the Iowa Department of Health is anticipating a surge of H1N1 symptoms to occur in Iowa after the holidays, probably because residents will be visiting friends and relatives, coming into close contact with others who may be infected with the flu.

Meanwhile, shortages of the seasonal flu vaccine remain, probably because manufacturers are focusing on the H1N1 vaccine roll-out. Howell said she did not know when more of the seasonal flu vaccine would become available.

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