My Opera1 Year Later, H1N1 Risk 'Very Minimal'
Saturday, May 8, 2010 3:41:10 PM
POSTED: 5:28 pm CDT May 7, 2010
UPDATED: 5:46 pm CDT May 7, 2010
Current H1N1 Strain Will Be Part Of Fall's Seasonal Flu Vaccine
OMAHA, Neb. -- A year after the first cases of H1N1 brought panic, illness and even deaths to the Omaha area, health officials said there is little to no H1N1 risk.
On Friday, a Douglas County H1N1 drop-in vaccination clinic was empty, with the exception of a single nurse who was waiting for possible patients. Six months ago, people braved frigid conditions and stood in line for blocks in order to get H1N1 vaccinations.
Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said the flu season is essentially over and H1N1 is nearly off the radar.
"At this time, we, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are saying that the threat is very minimal," Pour said.
While the reduced threat is welcome news, it also means that Douglas County had a lot of wasted vaccine. More than 34,000 doses have already expired and 28,000 more will have to be thrown away by the end of the month.
Pour said health officials are already working to prevent another potentially serious H1N1 outbreak next fall by incorporating it into the seasonal vaccine.
"One of the strains next year will be the 2009 H1N1 strain," Pour said.
Pour said it's not necessary at this point in the year to get an H1N1 vaccination, although it can't hurt. Health officials said anyone who chooses to get vaccinated now may build a resistance for the flu season that will begin later in the year.
Copyright 2010 by KETV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
UPDATED: 5:46 pm CDT May 7, 2010
Current H1N1 Strain Will Be Part Of Fall's Seasonal Flu Vaccine
OMAHA, Neb. -- A year after the first cases of H1N1 brought panic, illness and even deaths to the Omaha area, health officials said there is little to no H1N1 risk.
On Friday, a Douglas County H1N1 drop-in vaccination clinic was empty, with the exception of a single nurse who was waiting for possible patients. Six months ago, people braved frigid conditions and stood in line for blocks in order to get H1N1 vaccinations.
Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said the flu season is essentially over and H1N1 is nearly off the radar.
"At this time, we, as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are saying that the threat is very minimal," Pour said.
While the reduced threat is welcome news, it also means that Douglas County had a lot of wasted vaccine. More than 34,000 doses have already expired and 28,000 more will have to be thrown away by the end of the month.
Pour said health officials are already working to prevent another potentially serious H1N1 outbreak next fall by incorporating it into the seasonal vaccine.
"One of the strains next year will be the 2009 H1N1 strain," Pour said.
Pour said it's not necessary at this point in the year to get an H1N1 vaccination, although it can't hurt. Health officials said anyone who chooses to get vaccinated now may build a resistance for the flu season that will begin later in the year.
Copyright 2010 by KETV.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed
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