Health Professionals Warn of Second Round of H1N1 Flu

Health professionals everywhere want people to be aware that the swine flu is not over. Most of the people who got their children their first round vaccinations of the H1N1 flu vaccine have not returned to get the second round vaccinations.

Health professionals urge that only one round of the vaccine is not sufficient and children who are under age 10 must have both doses in order to be completely covered from the H1N1 strain.

County health services everywhere have reported that the demand has not been the same for receiving the second vaccination. Health departments everywhere have had to return expired vaccines.

Many patients and parents of children are under the assumption that the flu epidemic is over, but health professionals everywhere are warning that we are still in midst of flu season and people can still get vaccinations until May.

It is very important to remember that H1N1 is still prevalent in the southeastern portion of the United States. People should also remember that while some regions had more outbreaks than others everyone who did not get vaccinated is still at risk to get H1N1.

The state of Georgia has recently seen a significant increase in influenza cases since the H1N1 started last year. Although most cases were in people with other chronic medical conditions, people everywhere should be aware that it is vital that they still receive their H1N1 vaccinations as soon as possible before they are not available.

I've been a nurse for a long time and unfortunately this lull in news coverage has caused people to forget about the swine flu scare and the long lines connected with the first signs of H1N1. Many times people will get complacent about medical issues unless they remain in the public eye and on the news. Unfortunately most of the patients that I speak with are under the assumption that the H1N1 flu problem is over and that if they didn't receive the vaccine or declined getting the vaccine they are in the clear, which is totally wrong.

Health professionals everywhere are trying to continue to inform their patients and their communities, however all we can do is encourage them to get vaccinated if they have not been and to make sure their family members are properly vaccinated.

The main message that health professionals everywhere are trying to make, is that the flu season is not over and by year's end attention will be focused on a whole new flu season.

References for this article include: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/general_info.htm
www.coloradoan.com/article/20100403/UPDATES01/100403002/Doctors-warn-against-resurgence-of-H1N1-flu-virus
www.youtube.com/watch
wjz.com/local/flu.clinics.free.2.1655314.html